Chinese Province Jolted After Myanmar Earthquake
Picture this: chandeliers swaying violently, windows rattling like they’re about to shatter, and potted plants tumbling off balconies. Residents in China’s Yunnan province didn’t need to imagine—they lived it when a powerful earthquake from neighboring Myanmar sent shockwaves across the border.
The 7.7 magnitude quake struck northeastern Myanmar on Friday, March 28. Within minutes, residents hundreds of kilometers away in Yunnan felt the ground move beneath them. Two injuries were reported in Ruili City near the border—minor but enough to highlight the quake’s reach.
Panic in the Streets
In Tengchong and Ruili, people described chaotic scenes:
- Swinging ceiling lamps making rooms feel like carnival rides
- Terrified office workers streaming into streets
- First responders mobilizing before aftershocks could strike
Remarkably, Kunming—Yunnan’s capital located 776 km from the epicenter—still felt noticeable tremors. The provincial government didn’t take chances, deploying 646 emergency workers and 14 rescue dogs within hours.
Damage Contained, Nerves Rattled
Structural damage appears limited so far. Power stayed on, phones worked, and traffic flowed normally by mid-afternoon local time. But the psychological impact lingers—particularly for border communities accustomed to seismic activity, yet startled by this quake’s intensity.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
