In a statement today, he extended Malaysia’s deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and prayers to those injured and displaced.

Anwar said he was deeply concerned after the tragic loss of life and severe destruction in Mandalay, Bangkok and nearby regions.

“The reports of collapsed buildings, trapped civilians, and mounting casualties are deeply distressing.

“We are also closely monitoring developments in China’s southern Yunnan, where tremors have been felt and structural damage reported,” he said.

At least five people were killed after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake toppled a mosque and a hotel in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and brought down a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok, where at least one person died. Dozens of workers were rescued from under the rubble of the skyscraper.