A least 13 people have been killed and 40 others injured after a powerful earthquake struck Burma.
The 6.8 magnitude quake hit in a rural area 72 miles north of Mandalay but there were no reports of serious damage there.
It was also followed by strong aftershocks.
Local media said a half-built bridge over the Irrawaddy River between Kyauk Myaung and Singgu had collapsed.
US ‘historic’ visit
It comes little more than a week before US President Barack Obama is due in the country on a historic visit.
He is set to become the first American leader to visit the country in what is seen as the strongest international endorsement of the fragile democratic transition there.
The quake was felt in neighbouring Thailand including in Bangkok.
An official said the epicentre was near the town of Shwebo and struck at 7.41am local time.
More than 70 people were killed in March 2011 when a powerful 6.8 magnitude quake struck the quake-prone country.
