At least 74 people were killed and over 100 injured in a strong earthquake that struck Myanmar,state media said on Friday,while a series of aftershocks have caused panic but limited damage in Thailand and Laos. The death toll from Thursdays 6.8 magnitude tremor was expected to rise in Myanmar after 225 homes and nine government buildings were destroyed according to state television. An aftershock of an estimated magnitude of 5.5 rattled Thailand on Friday,and residents in the vicinity to the epicenter were advised to leave their homes. The initial quake shook the famous Golden Triangle region,where Myanmar,Thailand and Laos meet. It was felt in the capitals of Thailand and Myanmar and in Vietnam,where people evacuated tall buildings. The town of Tachilek was badly hit. People fled their homes and cracks were seen in the roads. We were frightened to enter the house since there were several strong aftershocks, a resident said.
