A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, killing at least one person and damaging pagodas in the ancient city of Bagan, officials said.

The quake, which the US Geological Survey said hit at a depth of 84 kilometres, was also felt across neighbouring Thailand and Bangladesh, sending panicked residents rushing onto the streets.

At least one man was killed in a Myanmar village near the epicentre, said Han Zaw Win, a local MP from Magway region where the quake struck.