A strong earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, and people rushed out of buildings in panic in Yangon and also in Bangkok, the capital of neighbouring Thailand, witnesses said.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake was of 7.7 magnitude and at a depth of 6.2 miles. It was followed by a powerful aftershock.

Footage showed a high-rise building collapsing in Chatuchak, Thailand, sending people running to escape clouds of dust and debris.

The epicentre was about 10 miles from the city of Mandalay, which has a population of about 1.2 million, according to USGS.

There was no immediate word from Myanmar on damage.