John Me The forecast another earthquake in Myanmar which never happened(Picture: Getty)
A TikTok astrologer in Myanmar has been arrested after predicting another earthquake and causing panic.
John Moe The,21,told his 300,000 plus followers on April 9 a ‘very strong’ quake would hit ‘every city’ in the country in 12 days time.
‘People should not stay in tall buildings during the day,’ said a caption on his video,which was viewed 3.3 million times.
‘Take important things with you and run away from buildings during the shaking.’
His prediction never came true,but several people reportedly believed him and left their homes as a result – with one woman saying her friend rented another property to stay in so she wouldn’t be in the ‘danger area’.
Myanmar’s central belt was struck with a powerful earthquake last month,which killed 3,700.
The UN says around 60,000 have been left living in tent encampments,with many afraid to go back to their homes as aftershocks continue.
The TikToker was arrested in a morning raid at his home in central Monywa city on Tuesday,according to a statement from Myanmar’s military government,published in state media.
John Moe The’s prediction (Picture: Facebook)
‘We got a tip-off about fake news being spread through a TikTok account that a severe earthquake will hit,’ it said.
‘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.’
One woman in Yangon said she hadn’t believed his warning,but many of her neighbours did.
‘Most of my neighbours dared not to stay in their apartments and lived out on the street on that day,’ the 35-year-old said. ‘My friend even hired a small house outside Yangon in preparation.’
The astrologer was arrested on Tuesday
Around 3,700 were killed in last month’s earthquake (Picture: AFP or licensors)
John Moe The’s TikTok account is titled “John (Palmistry)” and issues regular text predictions against the backdrop of a swirling cosmos.
His forecasts included other weather disasters,the release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi who was deposed in the country’s 2021 coup,and American airstrikes on Myanmar’s soil.
Earthquake early warning systems do exist,but the United States Geological Survey (USGS) says predicting tremors ahead of time is scientifically impossible.
‘Neither the USGS nor any other scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake,’ a statement on their website says.
‘We do not know how,and we do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future.’
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