A 6.8 earthquake hit northeast Myanmar on the evening of  Thursday 24 March, 2011, which was felt in nearby Thailand and as far away as Vietnam and China. The quake killed at least 70 people and destroyed more than 240 buildings in Myanmar alone. Strong tremors were also recorded in the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in Thailand.

The number of casualties could be higher. According to reports, more than 80 coffins were sold out in Tachilek on the morning of Friday 25 March. Observers described the earthquake as the third biggest natural disaster that struck Burma after the 2008 Cyclone Nargis and the 2010 Cyclone Giri.

Independent paper The Irrawaddy interviews residents of Mae Sai in Thailand. In a letter published by Shan Herald, Jai Noi narrated the impact of the quake on residents

Dear All there

we have been alert the whole night, sometimes napping while trying to stay alert. The Phone is not working properly, both mobile and home phone. There is no damage done to the house so far. We stayed in and out of the house all night. I hope this mail will be able to pass through. There is big damage in Taler, 40 km north and the bridge was destroyed. Heard most of the town was flattened and as there is only one doctor there, the injured were sent to Tachileik more than it can accept. About 80 casualties at least. No detail yet. There are sure to be damaged. The centre is around Merng Lain, 59 km north of Maesai as the new has said. There are still after shocks up to now.

The blog akm-kuntha uploads pictures showing the damage on roads in Tarle, a city 20 miles away from Tarchileik.

Democratic Voice of Burma also uploaded pictures of the quake disaster. Here are some twitter reactions from Yangon

@ascmmr: Dear Fans, We wish you well and safe from earthquake. If you feel the earthquake on 24 Mar 2011 8:25 pm

@minnyoonthit: earthquake cause great damage in Northern Shan, Tachileik area (over 100 ppl dead, several ppl are wounded.

@blacksumo: shitttt the earthquake was real?? i thought my aunt was being delusional …