Blast in rebel-held Myanmar kills at least 45

An explosion in the village of Kaungtup, located in Myanmar's Namhkam township near the Chinese border, killed at least 45 people on Sunday. The blast, which occurred around noon, also injured approximately 74 others. The area is controlled by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group.

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46 bodies, including six children, had been recovered by Sunday evening and taken for cremation. 74 injured people had been transported to the township hospital and rescue operations were continuing.

Rescue workers arriving at the scene reported recovering 46 bodies, including six children, by Sunday evening. They transported 74 injured individuals to the township hospital, and rescue operations were ongoing. Another rescuer in Namhkam provided a lower estimate, stating about 40 people died and over 100 houses near the blast site were damaged. Myanmar media outlets reported death tolls ranging from 50 to 55, publishing images of smoke, damaged buildings, and debris.

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about 40 people were killed and more than 100 houses near the blast site were damaged.

The TNLA stated on its Telegram channel that the explosion resulted from the accidental detonation of gelignite stored by the group's economic department for mining and stone quarrying. An investigation into the cause is underway. Gelignite, used in mining, can become unstable if stored improperly. The TNLA is part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which has controlled the Namhkam area since launching an offensive against the Myanmar military in late 2023. The alliance and other ethnic armed groups have long sought greater autonomy.

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gelignite had been stored by the group's economic department for use in mining and stone quarrying sites, and that an investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway.