Firefighters ploughed through debris as they searched for earthquake survivors in Myanmar today.

Footage shows the rescue officers digging through the rubble of a collapsed building in the former royal capital Mandalay, home to around 1.5 million people, on March 31.

At least three people were found buried under the carnage, a fireman said.

The US Geological Survey said the tremor struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles), and was centred in Myanmar, around 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of Monywa, along the Sagaing fault line.

Residents ran from their homes when they felt the tremors at around 1:20 pm local time. More than 1,600 people in the country have been killed and some 4,000, with rescue efforts ongoing.

The quake destroyed buildings, bridges, and dams, leaving many areas in ruins. Communication remains difficult as mobile networks are down, and access to electricity and the internet is limited.

In neighbouring Thailand, high-rise buildings shook and an apartment block under construction collapsed in Bangkok. At least 17 workers were killed.