Myanmar’s state-run MRTV reported that at least 144 people were killed on Friday and 732 were injured in the country. The quake also hit Thailand, where at least nine people were killed in the capital, Bangkok, according to local authorities.

A magnitude 7.7 quake struck just outside Myanmar’s ancient capital Mandalay at 12.50pm (06:20 GMT). The initial tremor was followed minutes later by a magnitude 6.4 aftershock, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Photos from Myanmar’s current capital, Naypyidaw, showed multiple buildings used to house civil servants destroyed by the quake and rescue crews pulling victims from the rubble.

The head of Myanmar’s military government said the death toll was expected to rise.

“I’ve been in earthquakes in this region before, and I’ve never felt anything as strong as that,” said Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng, who was outside Myanmar’s Defense Services Museum in Naypyidaw when the earthquake hit.

Cheng and others sought shelter under a doorway as large roofing and side panels crashed down. The tremors began gently but quickly intensified, causing concrete panels to break off the building, he said.

In the Thai capital, a 33-storey building that was under construction near Chatuchak Market crumpled into a cloud of dust with onlookers seen screaming and running in a video posted on social media.

At least eight people were killed in the building collapse, Deputy Bangkok Governor Tavida Kamolvej was quoted as saying by the news agency Reuters. Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said at least 90 people were missing.

Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan, who was in Bangkok when the quake hit, said: “People are out on the streets here. None of the trains are moving. … Traffic is absolutely gridlocked. The buildings have been shuttered in the centre of the city.” (Al Jazeera/AFP)