At least 46 people have been killed and dozens more injured following a massive explosion in a village located in Myanmar’s Shan State, an area currently under the control of an armed ethnic rebel group.
The blast occurred in Kaung Tat village, situated near the Chinese border in Namkham Township. Rescue workers reported that six children, including a one-year-old toddler, were among those killed in the incident.
According to emergency responders, around 200 houses in Kaung Tat and a further 100 homes in the nearby village of Pan Lone suffered extensive damage due to the explosion.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which controls the area and is engaged in an ongoing conflict with Myanmar’s military government, stated that the blast was caused by explosives stored in a warehouse used for local mining operations.
Authorities said the explosion occurred around midday on Sunday and caused widespread destruction across the surrounding communities.
Rescue teams confirmed that 74 injured individuals were transferred to Namkham General Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the victims, including three Chinese nationals, were cremated on Sunday evening.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and devastation, with many residents initially believing the blast had been caused by an air strike.
Images and videos from the area show a massive crater, destroyed buildings and smoke rising from debris scattered across the village.
The TNLA stated that an investigation is underway to determine how the explosives were detonated and to establish the exact cause of the disaster.
