Deadly earthquake hits Myanmar and Thailand, collapsing high-rise in Bangkok

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake centered in Myanmar reverberated across Southeast Asia on Friday, with the scale of destruction slowly coming into view in the isolated and war-ravaged nation, NBC News reports.

The earthquake occurred around 1:30 p.m. local time (2:30 a.m. ET) at a depth of 6 miles near Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was followed 11 minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.

The death toll in Myanmar is unknown. The USGS updated its alert Friday, warning that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.”

Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson of Myanmar's military government, made an appeal for medical supplies in a late night news bulletin on state television, calling for blood donations due to “so many” injuries across three urban areas.

In neighboring Thailand, at least three people were killed and at least 80 people remain trapped under a 33-story high-rise that has collapsed into rubble in Bangkok, according to Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The number of casualties is expected to rise.

Speaking Friday evening local time, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said residents in the affected area could return to their homes.

"The Prime Minister would like to reassure the public that the affected area is limited in scope," the PM's office said in a statement, adding that it expected the aftershocks to gradually subside.

Bangkok, more than 600 miles from the epicenter where many of its 17 million people live in high-rise apartments, was declared a disaster zone after the quake sent buildings swaying and forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes and workplaces.

Video of the collapsing building near the popular Chatuchak market showed people running from the site after a loud bang minutes before the entire structure crumbled. Many of the workers inside the building were from Cambodia, working in the third and fifth floors, according to NBC News’ international partner Sky News, whose correspondent, Cordelia Lynch, reported from the scene.