TikTok Astrologer Arrested After Earthquake Prediction Sparks Public Panic

The arrest raises questions regarding public safety and the influence of social media on community behavior.

In a striking incident that highlights the intersections of social media and public safety, Myanmar authorities have apprehended John Moe The, an astrologer who gained notoriety for predicting an imminent earthquake in a viral TikTok video. This prediction emerged on April 9, just weeks after a catastrophic 7.7 magnitude earthquake claimed approximately 3,500 lives and severely damaged historic temples across the Southeast Asian nation.

According to Myanmar’s information ministry, the arrest was made on Tuesday, grounded in accusations of making "false statements with the intention of causing public panic." John Moe The's alarming prediction claimed an earthquake would strike every city in Myanmar on April 21. Seismological experts, however, have reaffirmed the scientific consensus that predicting earthquakes remains an impossibility due to the intricate factors leading to such natural disasters.

In his viral video, which amassed over three million views, John Moe The advised viewers to evacuate tall buildings and take essential belongings in preparation for the foretold calamity. A resident from Yangon reported to AFP that many in her neighborhood were influenced by the prediction, with some opting to camp outdoors rather than remain in their homes on the anticipated day of the quake.

At the time of his arrest, John Moe The had accumulated more than 300,000 followers on TikTok, where he typically employed astrology and palmistry to make predictions. Authorities conducted a raid at his residence in Sagaing, an area significantly affected by the earthquake that struck on March 28, prompting the Myanmar junta to request foreign aid for recovery efforts. The tremors from this quake were even felt in Bangkok, where a construction site disaster tragically resulted in multiple fatalities.