An Irish woman residing in Bangkok recounted the “screams” and “chaos” that followed a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Thailand’s capital.
The earthquake has transformed a major hospital in the nearby capital of Myanmar into a “mass casualty area”.
Leona Kelly, 31, a PE teacher, was attending a school match when the tremors began.
“We definitely felt the shock,” she reported.
“Kids started to scream. It was a bit chaotic,” she added.
Ms. Kelly noted that there was “significant shaking of buildings,” with high-rises “swaying”.
“I believe there has been considerable damage throughout the city,” she stated.
People are now experiencing “nervous apprehension, wondering if there will be any further aftershocks or tremors,” according to Ms. Kelly.
The young woman mentioned that public transport has been halted and that “many people are crowding onto the streets”.
“Initially, I was a bit scared. I wasn’t sure what was happening,” she explained.
“I felt somewhat lightheaded. Then I quickly understood what it was.”
“The first thing I did was text my family to inform them of what happened.”
