TikTok star arrested after predicting devastating Myanmar earthquake
Topics: TikTok, World News, News
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: The Information Team of State Administration Council
Topics: TikTok, World News, News
TikTok star John Moe The has been arrested by officials in Myanmar for causing panic in the nation by predicting another deadly and powerful earthquake.
A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, with the BBC reporting that more than 3,000 people were killed in the South East Asian nation.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention explained that the Myanmar earthquake was felt in almost all regions of the country.
As per the US Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ Centre for Geosciences, the 7.7 magnitude earthquake had an epicentre at a depth of 6.2 miles below ground, and 12 minutes after the initial quake, a second one hit, which was registered at 6.4 on the Richter scale.
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Popular TikTok astrologer John Moe The warned on April 9 a 'very strong' earthquake would hit Myanmar in 12 days time.
"People should not stay in tall buildings during the day," the TikToker said to his 300,000 followers.
John Moe The urged people to 'take important things with you and run away from buildings during the shaking', adding the quake would hit 'every city in Myanmar'.
Well, on Tuesday (April 22), John Moe The, 21, was arrested after his home in central Monywa city was raided by officials.
Myanmar's military government said in a statement released on Thursday (April 24): "We got a tip-off about fake news being spread through a TikTok account that a severe earthquake will hit.
"Action will be taken effectively against him according to the law. Likewise, we will also take action effectively against those who write or spread or share fake news."
John Moe The often warns his followers about potential future disasters, but the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has stated predicting tremors ahead of time is scientifically impossible.
And you can't argue with science, can you?
"Neither the USGS nor any other scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake," the USGS said.
"We do not know how, and we do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future."
Educating regarding such though is seemingly lacking in some parts of the world, with Myanmar local Nan Nan telling AFP many of her neighbors had believed John Moe The's TikTok video.
"Most of my neighbors dared not to stay in their apartments and lived out on the street on that day," she told the outlet.
"My friend even hired a small house outside Yangon in preparation."