A massive 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Wednesday that killed at least three people including children and damaged nearly 60 pagodas in the ancient city of Bagan.
The United States Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of 84km. Tremors were also felt across neighbouring countries like Thailand, India and Bangladesh and residents were seen rushing out on the streets.
The earthquake rattled the high-rise buildings in Yangon and also in Bangkok and Kolkata.
An official said several temples in Bagan were severely damaged. Bagan is the country's most famous archaeological site and a major tourist destination some 30km north of the quake's epicentre.
"About 60 pagodas in Bagan were damaged. Some were seriously damaged," Bagan's culture department director Aung Kyaw told AFP. He said the temples which were built between the 10th and 14th centuries, are revered.
According to Myanmar's Ministry of Information, Two girls, aged seven and 15, were killed in the Magway region where the quake struck.
The local MP Han Zaw Win of Pakokku township said one man was also killed in the Pakokku.
"A 22-year- old man was killed when a nearby building collapsed during the earthquake," he said
MP Soe Win of Chauk said that it was the worst earthquake he had experienced in years. Chauk is a riverside town which is located very close to the epicentre.
