Laos: Magnitude-5.7 earthquake occurs in Phongsaly Province Dec. 24

Event

A magnitude-5.7 earthquake occurred in Phongsaly Province, Laos near the shared border with China, at around 20:43 Dec. 24. The epicenter was about 86 km (53 miles) north-northwest of Phongsaly city, in the namesake province of Laos. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and strong shaking was probably felt in areas immediately around the epicenter; light shaking was probably felt in northern Laos, far eastern Myanmar, far northwestern Vietnam, and far southwestern China. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely outside of areas in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.