YANGON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 24 people including 17 women have been injured and several religious buildings damaged in Monday night's earthquake that struck Taikkyi, Myanmar's Yangon region, according to figures released by local authorities Tuesday.

A moderate earthquake of 5.8-magnitude hit Myanmar's Yangon region Monday night with Taikkyi township being the nearest to the epicenter.

An archway of a pagoda in downtown Taikkyi, some residential quarters of township police station and civilian houses collapsed, according to the initial report.

The quake brought down cyclists and objects inside the houses.

People fled high-rise buildings in Taikkyi spending their night outdoor and lighting candles on earth to pray for safety.

The earthquake struck at 8:49 p.m. local time with an epicenter of 35.4 km northwest of Yangon and 8.04 km southwest of Taikkyi township, outskirt of Yangon region.

The quake was also felt in some townships including Insein, Hlaingtharyar, South Dagon and Bahan of Yangon region and in Maubin township of Ayeyawaddy region.

There were reports of 20 after-shocks, according to local residents.