Astrologer Arrested After Viral Quake Prediction Sparks Panic in Myanmar

Authorities in Myanmar detained a TikTok astrologer for inciting fear over an expected earthquake, highlighting the thin line between social media influence and public safety.

Myanmar authorities took swift action against a TikTok astrologer, John Moe The, arresting him after his alarming earthquake prediction went viral. His claims emerged just two weeks following the devastating 7.7 magnitude quake that claimed 3,500 lives and ravaged historical sites in the region. On April 9, Moe The's viral video, which garnered over three million views, warned citizens that another earthquake would strike all cities across Myanmar on April 21.

The country’s information ministry charged him with making "false statements with the intention of causing public panic." Despite his assertions, experts revealed that predicting earthquakes remains an impossibility due to the intricate and unpredictable nature of geological activities.

In his now-deleted video, Moe The advised viewers to evacuate buildings at the onset of shaking, saying, “take important things with you and run away from buildings.” His alarming message resonated with many, as evidenced by a Yangon resident who told AFP that several neighbors were convinced of the impending disaster and camped outdoors on the predicted date.

John Moe The had a substantial following, with over 300,000 followers on TikTok, promoting his predictions based on astrology and palmistry. His arrest occurred during a police raid on his residence in Sagaing, a location grappling with the recent earthquake's aftermath. The areas of Mandalay and Sagaing suffered significant impacts during the March 28 quake, which also led to an unexpected appeal for foreign assistance from Myanmar's ruling junta. The tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok, where a construction site collapse tragically resulted in multiple fatalities.