Greeks in Bangkok share their firsthand accounts of the deadly earthquake

Greek nationals in Bangkok shared with Kathimerini their firsthand accounts of the deadly earthquake that shook Myanmar and Thailand.

According to AP, the 7.7-magnitude tremor has claimed the lives of at least 144 people in Myanmar and 10 in Thailand. As of now, no Greek citizens have been reported among the casualties or injured.

Konstantinos Kepentzis was in his office at the Greek consulate in Thailand when the earthquake struck.

“It was a big surprise, we ran out quickly. Some pieces fell from the false ceilings,” he said, adding that the earthquake was so intense he could see nearby skyscrapers swaying.

“The buildings were moving in an ‘8’ shape. It felt like a movie,” he said, explaining that thankfully, the buildings in his area proved to be resilient.

So far, there have been no reported Greek casualties, he said. Commenting on the images of a collapsed building, he stated that it was a skyscraper under construction outside the city center. “There were probably many Thai workers there.”

Nikoletta and Antonis, two siblings working remotely from Bangkok, were in their rented apartment on the 13th floor of a skyscraper in a suburban area when the earthquake hit.

They were startled when they noticed cracks forming on the walls of their apartment.

“As soon as the earthquake calmed down, it started again, even more intensely. Things began to fall. There were loud noises. A roommate helped us down the stairs and out to the street,” said 25-year-old Nikoletta.

Antonis said that while all the residents initially rushed outside, the city had returned to its normal rhythm after two hours.

“Restaurants, supermarkets, taxis, and even deliveries were working again,” he said.

The apartment where the siblings had been staying was rendered uninhabitable due to the damage, so they decided to rent a unit in a four-story building, allowing them to more easily escape in the event of an aftershock.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also expressed his condolences to the victims of the earthquake.

“The news and images from Myanmar and Thailand are heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the earthquake. On behalf of all Greeks, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” Mitsotakis wrote on X.

Source: pagenews.gr