Myanmar Explosion Near China Border Claims Dozens of Lives
00:00
00:00
- A deadly explosion at a mining explosives storage facility in Myanmar’s Shan State has killed more than 45 people and injured at least 70 others near the Chinese border.
- Authorities and rescue teams are continuing operations after a powerful blast destroyed buildings and caused mass casualties in Namhkam, a town controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army.
- A preliminary investigation suggests the explosion came from stored mining explosives, as officials urged residents to donate blood and launched a probe into the cause of the incident.
Jakarta – A powerful explosion at a facility believed to store mining explosives in northeastern Myanmar has killed more than 45 people and injured dozens, according to rescue workers and local media reports.
The blast occurred around midday on Sunday in Namhkam, a town in Shan State located about three kilometers south of the Chinese border. The area is under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, an ethnic armed group that seeks autonomy within Myanmar.
Authorities and emergency responders said at least 70 people were injured in the incident. Several victims remain trapped under debris as search and rescue operations continue.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the explosion caused significant damage to nearby residential areas, with many homes destroyed or severely affected.
Preliminary findings indicate that the explosion originated from a storage site containing mining explosives. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army later confirmed in a statement posted on its Telegram channel that gelignite was stored at the site for use in mining and excavation activities.
Local media outlets have reported varying death tolls, estimating between 50 and 55 fatalities as authorities continue to verify the number of victims.
Images and videos circulating online show a massive plume of smoke rising from the blast site, with buildings reduced to rubble and debris scattered across the surrounding area.
According to the Shan-based news agency Shwe Phee Myay, the victims include at least 25 women and 30 men. Dozens more were injured, and some individuals are still believed to be trapped beneath the wreckage.
Emergency officials have called on residents to donate blood at Namhkam General Hospital as medical teams struggle to treat the influx of casualties.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army stated that an investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway, but no definitive explanation has yet been released.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
