A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at 14:20 on Friday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
Strong tremors were felt across many places in Yunnan Province bordering Myanmar, according to feedback of netizens, China's state broadcaster CCTV reported.
The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar told the Global Times on Friday that they are closely following the situation and currently have no further specific information.
The epicenter was about 17.2 km from the city of Mandalay, which has a population about 1.2 million, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), according to Reuters.
Wu Yutong, a Chinese businessman who works in Yangon, Myanmar, told the Global Times that when the earthquake struck, he was in his office. The desks were shaking, and he felt strong tremors and dizziness. Around 15 people in the office immediately evacuated to take shelter outside. The tremors lasted for about ten minutes.
Witnesses in Bangkok said people ran out onto the streets in panic and water splashed out of swimming pools. The tremors were also felt in Thailand, according to Reuters report.
The Thai Emergency Response Center said on Friday that a 30-story building under construction collapsed in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, with people feared trapped inside after a strong tremor, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
The epicenter of this earthquake is located 294 kilometers from the nearest borderline of China, causing strong tremors in Xishuangbanna, Dehong, Kunming, Lijiang, Baoshan, Dali and other areas of Yunnan Province. Tremors were also felt in parts of Guizhou and Guangxi, according to CCTV.
According to the emergency management bureau of Ruili city, Yunnan Province, the earthquake has caused damage to houses and injuries to residents in the area. Local authorities have mobilized rescue teams, and response efforts are currently underway, according to CNR.
A working staff from the emergency management bureau of Ruili told the Global Times on Friday that two people with minor injuries have been sent to the hospital. The extent of house damage and casualties is still being assessed.
This earthquake is the 17th earthquake of magnitude 6.0 or above worldwide so far this year, and also the strongest earthquake recorded this year so far, said CCTV.
Soon after the earthquake, China's National Early Warning Center issued a notice, saying that the earthquake may trigger a localized tsunami near the epicenter. However, as the epicenter is outside the Pacific region, it is unlikely to impact China's coastal areas.
The center will continue to monitor and analyze the earthquake and tsunami data and will release information in a timely manner.
