Massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocks Myanmar and Thailand

BREAKING

A skyscraper has collapsed in Bangkok following the quake, leaving 43 people trapped under rubble, per local reports.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the centre of the earthquake was in Myanmar, near the city of Mandalay.

Just 12 minutes after the initial quake, a 6.4 magnitude aftershock was felt near Mandalay.

The USGS says "high casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread" in Myanmar, which is in the middle of a civil war.

Footage shared on social media shows a high rise building in Bangkok collapsing after the quake.

Another clip to emerge shows water spilling down the sides of a building from the top of high rise apartments.

The Greater Bangkok area is home to 17 million people, many of whom live in high rise apartments.

The USGS says that buildings in Thailand and Myanmar are more vulnerable to earthquakes.

"Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist," they say.

"The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and unreinforced brick masonry construction."