A strong earthquake hit northern Burma Sunday, causing terrified residents to flee swaying buildings. At least one person is reported to have been killed.

Local media say a bridge under construction across the Irrawaddy River collapsed, and there may have been several casualties. No other major damage has been reported.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the 6.6-magnitude quake hit before 8 a.m. local time, 117 kilometers north of the city of Mandalay at a depth of just 10 kilometers. The earthquake was followed by several aftershocks.

The shallow quake was felt in Bangkok, the capital of neighboring Thailand.

It comes just a week ahead of a scheduled visit to Burma by U.S. President Barack Obama. He will be the first U.S. president to visit the one-time pariah nation, which is emerging from decades of military dictatorship.