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🇸🇬 Singapore /Disasters & Emergencies

Blast in rebel-held Myanmar kills dozens: Rescuers

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A blast in Myanmar's rebel-held Shan state killed dozens on May 31, with initial reports indicating mining explosives may have detonated accidentally.
  • Rescue workers provided conflicting death tolls, ranging from 46 to 59, with children among the casualties.
  • The Ta'ang National Liberation Army, which controls the region, confirmed an accidental explosion of stored mining explosives and stated the exact cause is under investigation.

A powerful blast in Myanmar's northern Shan state on May 31 killed dozens, according to two rescue workers who spoke anonymously due to security concerns. One first responder reported 46 deaths, including children, and over 70 injured. A second rescuer stated the total death toll reached 59.

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), a prominent ethnic minority faction controlling the region, confirmed an "accidental explosion" of stored mining and stone quarrying explosives. The blast occurred around noon in Namhkam township, killing "many local villagers." The TNLA noted the explosives belonged to its economic department and that the exact cause of the detonation is under investigation.

Myanmar has been embroiled in a civil war since the military seized power in a 2021 coup. The conflict involves the armed forces battling numerous pro-democracy guerrillas and powerful ethnic minority armed groups.

accidental explosion

— Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)The TNLA statement describing the detonation of stored explosives.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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