TikToker has home raided and is arrested after predicting catastrophic Myanmar earthquake
A TikToker has had his home raided and has since been arrested after he correctly predicted the catastrophic Myanmar earthquake that occurred last month.
In March, the popular TikToker, who tends to post astrology and prediction related content, uploaded a video where he warned about an earthquake that would hit ‘'every city in Myanmar’ in less than two weeks’ time.
John Moe The shared his shocking prediction with his over 300,000 followers on the social media app, adding in the caption: “People should not stay in tall buildings during the day.”
He also said: “Take important things with you and run away from buildings during the shaking.”
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On March 28, the country was hit by a devastating earthquake measuring 7.7 magnitude, killing over 3,500 people and injuring a further 5,000.
According to the UN, 60,000 people have been left living in tent encampments.
The earthquake has damaged roads and bridges as well as leaving multiple regions without power or communication.
It also impacted nearby Thailand, which caused a high-rise building that was under construction to collapse.
Tremors from the quake were also felt as far as China and India.
Just under a month after the disaster, the well-known TikToker was subject to a raid of his home in central Monywa city on Tuesday (April 22) and was arrested.
This is according to a statement from the Myanmar military government.
In the statement, it read: “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.”
The 21-year-old’s TikTok account previously shared other predictions including the possibility of American airstrikes on Myanmar and the release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi who was deposed in Myanmar’s coup in 2021.
However, John Moe The's account has now been taken down from the platform.
While there are warning systems for earthquakes, according to the Daily Mail the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has said that the prediction of tremors ahead of time is scientifically impossible.
In a statement posted to its website, it read: “Neither the USGS nor any other scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake.
“We do not know how, and we do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future.”