In brief
Myanmar's authorities take action against misinformation in the wake of a deadly quake.
In a bizarre twist of fate, Myanmar authorities have arrested a TikTok astrologer, John Moe The, for predicting a massive earthquake that stirred panic across the nation. His prediction, made on April 9, came just weeks after a devastating 7.7 magnitude quake took the lives of 3,500 people and obliterated historical landmarks. The information ministry claims his forewarning was a "false statement with the intention of causing public panic." Moe The declared that every city in Myanmar would feel the tremors on April 21, leading many to heed his advice and evacuate their homes. The viral video garnered over three million views, prompting widespread fear and concern among residents.Experts have since pointed out that predicting earthquakes is largely impossible due to the complicated nature of geological processes. Reports indicate that some locals even camped outside, fearing the predicted disaster.With a following of 300,000, Moe The's TikTok content specializes in astrology and palmistry forecasts. His account has since been removed, and he was apprehended during a raid at his residence in Sagaing. The southern region is freshly recovering from the aftermath of the recent earthquake, which shook areas as far away as Bangkok, causing additional structural damage.
