New Delhi, June 1: A devastating explosion in a building in the Kaungtup village of Namkham Township, located in northeastern Myanmar, has resulted in the deaths of over 45 individuals, with more than 70 others reported injured. According to rescue workers and independent media reports, the building housed explosives intended for mining operations.
The Washington Post reports that the area is situated approximately three kilometers south of the Chinese border and is under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, an ethnic armed group that has had intermittent clashes with Myanmar’s central government.
A rescue worker at the scene informed the Associated Press that by Sunday evening, 46 bodies had been recovered, including six children. The death toll is expected to rise. The deceased have been sent for final rites, while the injured are receiving treatment at the township hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing.
Another rescuer from Namkham mentioned that over 100 homes in the vicinity of the explosion have been damaged.
China’s state television channel CCTV reported multiple fatalities and injuries from the blast, with many nearby houses severely damaged. However, the channel did not provide an official count of the dead or injured.
Initial investigations indicate that the explosion occurred at a site where a large quantity of explosives, used in mining operations, was stored.
Local authorities are providing relief, medical assistance, and rehabilitation support to those affected.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army stated on its Telegram channel that the explosive known as gelignite was stored by its economic department for use in mining and quarrying. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing.
Gelignite is commonly used in mining and rock-breaking activities, but it can become highly unstable and dangerous if stored improperly or for extended periods.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army is a member of a rebel coalition known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance. This coalition and its allies launched a significant campaign against the military in northeastern Myanmar at the end of 2023, leading to their control over the Namkham area. Members of the coalition and other ethnic armed groups have long demanded greater autonomy.
In October of last year, following negotiations mediated by China, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army signed a ceasefire agreement with the Myanmar military; however, tensions between the two sides remain high.
Leave a Comment