At Least 55 Killed in Myanmar Explosives Depot Blast

At Least 55 Killed in Myanmar Explosives Depot Blast
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At least 55 people have reportedly been killed and dozens more injured after a powerful explosion at an explosives storage site in northeastern Myanmar, near the border with China.

The blast occurred around noon on Sunday in Kaung Tat village, Namhkam Township, in Shan State. Local media and residents said the explosion caused widespread destruction, damaging or destroying many homes and leaving rescue teams searching through rubble.

The area is controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, one of Myanmar’s major ethnic armed groups. The group said the explosives stored at the site were intended for mining operations and confirmed that many people had been killed or wounded, but did not give an exact casualty figure.

Witnesses described a massive cloud of smoke rising from the village after the explosion, followed by scenes of severe destruction. Initial reports had put the death toll at more than 45, but later local accounts raised the figure to at least 55.

The TNLA said an investigation into the cause of the blast is under way and pledged support for affected residents, including medical care and rehabilitation.