At least 55 people were killed and many others injured after a powerful explosion struck a village in Myanmar’s northern Shan State, according to local sources and media reports.
The incident occurred on Sunday in Kaung Tat village, located in Namkham Township near the Chinese border. Witnesses reported seeing a massive plume of smoke rising over the area shortly after the blast.
According to a report by the BBC, local sources said the victims included 25 women and 30 men, although casualty figures varied across different reports.
The village is currently under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), one of the strongest ethnic armed groups fighting Myanmar’s military government.
The TNLA stated that the explosion was an accident involving materials stored for mining operations. In a statement, the group said numerous local residents were killed or injured and significant damage was caused to homes and property.
Video footage from the scene showed extensive destruction, including a large crater, collapsed buildings, scorched debris, and damaged vegetation.
Local residents said the blast could be heard several kilometres away, underscoring the scale of the explosion. Rescue and assessment efforts remain ongoing, and officials have warned that the casualty toll could rise further.
The tragedy has added to humanitarian concerns in a region already affected by prolonged conflict and instability.
Source: BBC.