The Japanese prime minister Sigeru Isiban He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the strong earthquake that hit Friday in Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, his office announced today.

“I was deeply saddened to be informed about the extensive damage caused by the earthquake in the central part of Myanmar. I express my sincere condolences to all those affected ”, The Japan prime minister said in his statement. “I sincerely pray for the rapid recovery of the injured and the rapid recovery of the affected areas. We stand on the side of the people of Myanmar (…) in these difficult times “, completes. At the same time expressed ‘Deeply condolences’ For the loss of lives in Thailand due to the strong earthquake.

At least 144 people were killed and 732 injured in Myanmar, according to a temporary report announced Friday by the junta leader MinA Aung Langeexpressing fears that the number of dead will increase.

Another eight deaths have been reported so far in Thailand, where a skyscraper collapsed due to the earthquake.

Myanmar was shocked at 14:20 (local time, 08:20 in Greece) by an earthquake size of 7.7 degrees which was centered 16 kilometers northwest of the city of Shangaging, coming from a focal depth of just 10 kilometers, followed by a few minutes later a 6.7 -magnitude aftershock, according to the US Institute of Geological Studies (USGS).