Earthquake at 6.8 Richter scale in Myanmar, 100 ancient pagodas were damaged

A strong earthquake on August 24 rocked central Myanmar, damaging nearly a hundred ancient Buddhist temples in the ancient capital of Bagan.

According to AP, the US Geological Survey said the magnitude 6.8 earthquake was centered at about 25km west of Chauk town, south of Bagan.

The earthquake occurred in central Myanmar.(Graphics: usgs).

A temple is affected in the earthquake.(Photo: Hnin Yadana Zaw).

At least 94 brick temples in Bagan are damaged, according to Myanmar Ministry of Religious and Cultural Affairs. Bagan, also known as Pagan , has more than 2,200 structures including pagodas and temples built in the 10th century to the 14th century. Bagan is located in central Myanmar, once the country's capital since the 9th century. to the 13th century, and is now a top tourist attraction.

Dr. Myo Thant, Secretary General of the Myanmar Earthquake Committee, said other areas did not appear to be seriously affected.

Htay Win police at Pakokku, about 70km from the epicenter, said there was one person killed and one injured."Victims are killed by bricks falling from a building," he said.

Myanmar Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement reported two other deaths near the village of Thitapwe.