Myanmar authorities have arrested a popular TikTok astrologer after he posted a video predicting another major earthquake, a move officials say caused widespread public panic just weeks after a deadly quake devastated parts of the country.
John Moe The, known for his astrology and palmistry videos, was detained on Tuesday after claiming that “every city in Myanmar” would be struck by an earthquake on April 21. His prediction came just two weeks after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28 killed 3,500 people and damaged historic temples across the Southeast Asian nation.
Arrested for spreading panic
Myanmar’s information ministry said the astrologer was arrested for making “false statements with the intention of causing public panic.” Authorities raided his home in Sagaing, central Myanmar, where he was taken into custody.
In his viral video, which garnered more than three million views, John Moe The urged people to flee buildings and take essential belongings with them. “People should not stay in tall buildings during the day,” read the caption of the now-deleted post.
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Belief fuels behavior
Though widely criticized by scientists, who stress that earthquakes cannot be predicted due to the complex and variable nature of seismic activity, his message struck a chord. A resident in Yangon told AFP that several neighbors spent the night outside, fearing the forecasted disaster.
John Moe The’s TikTok account, which had over 300,000 followers before it was taken down, regularly featured astrology-based predictions. His content drew both followers and skeptics, but this particular video led to real-world consequences.
Earthquake aftermath still fresh
The March 28 earthquake left deep scars, particularly in the regions of Mandalay and Sagaing. The scale of destruction prompted Myanmar’s military government to make a rare appeal for international assistance.
Tremors from that quake were felt as far as 1,000 kilometers away in Bangkok, where a building collapse at a construction site killed dozens of workers.
Authorities in Myanmar say the country remains on alert for aftershocks but warn the public against unverified predictions that can stir unnecessary fear.
