TikTok astrologer arrested after predicting ‘very strong’ earthquake

A self-proclaimed 'astrologer' has been arrested after predicting an earthquake in Myanmar - a South-East Asian country which is still recovering following last month's temblor.

John Moe The, a 21-year-old alleged fortune teller, was arrested following a raid at his home in the city of Sagaing earlier this week on Tuesday morning (22 April) for 'spreading rumours' after predicting a new earthquake in a viral TikTok video, which caused major panic amongst those in the region.

The posted his prediction earlier this month (9 April), just two weeks after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake killed 3,700 people, injured over 5,100 and destroyed centuries-old temples in Myanmar late last month (28 March).

The TikToker, who boasts more than 300,000 followers, predicted that a 'very strong' earthquake would strike 'every city in Myanmar' in 12 days - which would have been Monday of this week (21 April).

TikToker John Moe The has been arrested after predicting another earthquake will hit Myanmar (The Information Team of State Administration Council)

In his video, which racked over over three million views, The made the panic-inducing suggestion urging viewers in the nation to 'take important things with you and run away from buildings during the shaking'.

"People should not stay in tall buildings during the day." the TikTok video's caption added.

Myanmar local, Nan Nan, later told AFP that many of her neighbours had believed The's TikTok video.

"Most of my neighbours dared not to stay in their apartments and lived out on the street on that day," she told the outlet. "My friend even hired a small house outside Yangon in preparation."

Myanmar's military government has since released an official statement on state media earlier this week on Thursday (24 April) confirming the self-proclaimed astrologer’s arrest.

There have been nearly 4,000 fatalities following the 7.7 earthquake (Anadolu / Contributor / Getty Images)

The statement said: "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."

According to Article 19, a human rights organisation, there is a law that prohibits publishing fake news online through social media which can lead to prosecution in Myanmar.

Additionally, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has explained that predicting tremors ahead of time is scientifically impossible.

"Neither the USGS nor any other scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake," they said. "We do not know how, and we do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future."