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Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 May 2007,
11:37 GMT 12:37 UK

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Laos hit by powerful earthquake

Buildings in Bangkok were evacuated but no
damage reported

A
powerful earthquake has hit western Laos, with tremors felt as far
as away as Thailand and Vietnam.

The quake measured magnitude 6.1 and struck not far from the
northern city of Luang Prabang, the US Geological Survey reported.

Buildings swayed in both the Thai and Vietnamese capitals. People
reportedly fled shopping centres and buildings were evacuated in
Bangkok.

However, there were no reports of damage or injuries.

The earthquake struck 155km (97 miles) west-north-west of Luang
Prabang at just before 1600 local time (0900GMT), the USGS reported.

The epicentre is believed to be in a fairly remote area of
western Laos.

But it was little felt in Luang Prabang. One resident spoke of
feeling "disorientated" for a couple of minutes, while others said
they felt little or no shaking.

An official in the Laos capital Vientiane said the quake lasted
around 10 seconds, and there were no immediate reports of casualties
or damage from the area.

Checking buildings

But there were scenes of panic in the Thai capital, Bangkok, some
800km (500 miles) south of the quake zone.

Many office blocks were swiftly evacuated after the earthquake
shook the city, with its occupants gathering in the streets outside.

"I have not seen a strong earthquake like this before, my head
felt like it was spinning," Nattaya Limngern, a 40-year-old office
worker, told the AFP news agency.

The quake was also felt strongly in the area of northern Thailand
bordering Laos. Some people were evacuated in the city of Chiang
Mai.

Officials said they were still checking buildings but had no
reports of damage or injuries.

Hundreds of kilometres to the east, in the Vietnamese capital,
Hanoi, the quake was felt mostly on the upper floors of high rises.

Around 700 people fled Vincom Tower, one of the tallest buildings
in the city, when it started to sway, a company spokeswoman told the
Associated Press.

"It was shaking for about three minutes, and I think this was the
strongest shaking we have ever felt," Nguyen Thu Lan said.

"After the shaking stopped, many people who ran out wouldn't dare
to return."

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