Maha Christopher
At least 46 people, including six children, have been killed and dozens injured following a massive explosion in a village in Myanmar’s Shan State, an area controlled by insurgent forces.
According to the BBC, the explosion occurred on Sunday in Kaung Tat village, located in Namkham Township near the Chinese border, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds of residents displaced.
Rescue workers said six children, including a one year old toddler, were among those killed in the blast, while three Chinese nationals also lost their lives.
The explosion reportedly damaged about 200 homes in Kaung Tat and another 100 houses in the nearby village of Pan Lone.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army, which controls the area, said explosives stored in a warehouse for local mining operations accidentally ignited, triggering the disaster.
According to the group, the facility contained gelignite used for mining activities, and an investigation has been launched to determine what caused the detonation.
Rescue teams said 74 injured victims were transported to Namkham General Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were cremated on Sunday evening.
Footage from the scene showed a huge crater surrounded by collapsed buildings, charred debris and damaged trees, highlighting the scale of the destruction.
One resident who survived the explosion said she initially believed the blast was caused by an air strike.
“By sheer luck, my phone saved my life,” she told local media, explaining that she had been sitting in her bedroom when the explosion occurred.
The resident, who sustained a minor leg injury and lost her home, described scenes of panic and grief as villagers searched for missing relatives.
“People were crying, calling out for their parents. It felt as if the world had come to an end,” she said.
The incident has raised questions about the storage of explosive materials near residential communities.
The TNLA, one of the strongest ethnic armed groups fighting Myanmar’s military junta, said further investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
Myanmar has been gripped by conflict since the military seized power in 2021, with several armed groups controlling territories across the country and relying on mining activities as a source of funding.
