In brief
John Moe The's viral TikTok video predicted a new quake just weeks after a devastating tremor; experts and authorities deem such forecasts baseless.
Myanmar authorities have taken action against a TikTok astrologer, John Moe The, who was arrested for inciting public panic through a misleading earthquake prediction. Shortly after a significant earthquake on March 28, which resulted in over 3,500 casualties and destroyed numerous historic temples in the region, Moe The broadcasted a video on April 9 claiming that another earthquake would strike every city in Myanmar on April 21. The prediction gained traction rapidly, amassing more than three million views and leading many residents to flee their homes.The Ministry of Information in Myanmar stated that Moe The is accused of making “false statements with the intention of causing public panic.” In his video, he advised viewers to evacuate tall buildings and prepare for potential disaster, prompting widespread fear and unrest. A resident from Yangon shared that many were convinced by the prediction, leading to mass outdoor gatherings as people refused to remain indoors on the expected date.Despite having a substantial following on his now-deleted TikTok account—over 300,000 users—experts have emphasized that predicting earthquakes remains scientifically impossible due to the intricate nature of geological factors. Moe The's arrest occurred during a police raid at his residence in Sagaing, a region particularly impacted by the earlier earthquake that elicited an unusual plea from the Myanmar military government for international assistance. The tremors from the March earthquake were felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, resulting in a construction site collapse that claimed lives there as well.
