Myanmar Earthquake: At Least 3 Dead After 6.8-Magnitude Quake Strikes Central Region, Officials Say

The quake struck near the town of Chauk on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Two children were among those killed, local officials told Reuters. the US Geological Survey has said, with initial reports suggesting ancient temples at the old city of Bagan have been severely damaged.

The site, which is often compared to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, holds more than 2,000 temples and pagodas, some of them centuries old.

The earthquake was so intense that shakes were felt in the neighbouring Thai capital, Bangkok, about 620 miles (1,000km) away.

The quake’s epicentre was aabout 25 miles (30km) south of Bagan, which has grown extremely popular with backpackers and foreign tourists in recent years.