The magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Thailand and Myanmar was so powerful that it was picked up by seismometers in Ireland.
The earthquake, which occurred at 6.21am Irish time, centred near Myanmar’s second city of Mandalay. The tremor was so powerful that a seven-storey building in Thailand’s capital Bangkok collapsed.
The shock wave took 33 minutes to reach Ireland. The Irish National Seismic Network monitors in Tipperary and Mayo showed a notable spike in earthquake activity at 6.54am this morning.
Seismograms situated in Valentia, Co Kerry, and Dublin showed sound wave readings over a 15-minute period, emphasising the magnitude of the earthquake, according to the website weatheire.com.
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The Irish Embassy in Thailand, which also represents Myanmar, has urged Irish citizens in need of consular assistance can contact the Embassy on +66 2 016 1360.
“We encourage citizens to follow the instructions of local authorities in the event of an emergency,” the embassy added.
Speaking at The Curragh in Co Kildare on Friday, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said Ireland is ready to assist those affected by the earthquake.
“My thoughts and I know the thoughts of people right around the country are with the people of Myanmar and Thailand after the very significant earthquake today,” he said.
“The Irish Government stands ready to assist in any ways that we can and of course we’re looking to fully assess the impact of that earthquake with the UN and other international partners,” he said. “But right now, our hearts go out to the people of that region.”
Mr Harris said his department is not aware of any Irish citizens impacted, but said its embassy in Thailand is available for assistance.
Irish PE teacher Leona Kelly, who is based in Bangkok, told RTÉ News that the tremors lasted about 30 seconds. “The sports hall that was in was shaking significantly. The kids were starting to scream,” she said.
“Initially people were quite shook. Now it is more nervous apprehension in case there are any aftershocks.
“There was significant shaking of buildings. High rises were swaying. Swimming pools were overflowing. The first thing I did was text my family as I knew they would be freaking out.”
[ In pictures: Myanmar and Thailand rocked by powerful earthquakeOpens in new window ]
