EARTHQUAKE SHAKES RANGOON, NO DAMAGE OR CASUALTIES

UNCLAS RANGOON 000514 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, AND IO PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL BM SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE SHAKES RANGOON, NO DAMAGE OR CASUALTIES ¶1. (SBU) A magnitude 7.6 earthquake with its epicenter near the Andaman Islands caused buildings to shake in Rangoon and sent strong tremors through the Irrawaddy Delta region, lasting about seven minutes. No damage or injuries have been reported in the Rangoon area, which according to the U.S. Geological Survey experienced roughly a magnitude 4.0 earthquake. Contacts in the Bogale and Pyapon region in the Irrawaddy Delta reported no damage or casualties in their immediate areas. Our Delta contacts also did not notice any tidal surges, but said these tremors were stronger than an earthquake in 2004. Oil company drilling rigs and production platforms in Martaban Gulf near the Delta were undamaged. ¶2. (SBU) The earthquake struck Rangoon, 448 miles northeast of the epicenter, around 2:27 a.m. State media outlets have not reported the news. Our Delta contacts told us that they failed to receive the tsunami warning, but given the timing of the warning and poor telecommunications, it is questionable if it would have reached the populace in any case. DINGER