MYANMAR : A powerful explosion in eastern Myanmar’s Shan State has killed at least 55 people, including 25 women, and injured dozens more, according to foreign media reports.
The blast occurred in the Kung Tet region, where separatist groups have been active. Initial reports described the explosion as involving materials stored for use in mining operations.
The Taung National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group fighting against Myanmar’s military government, issued a statement acknowledging the incident. The group described the explosion as an accident that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, as well as damage to civilian homes.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the explosion and express our best wishes for the recovery of the injured,” the TNLA said in its statement.
The group added that an investigation is underway to determine the exact causes of the blast. It promised that action would be taken against anyone found responsible and that assistance would be provided to affected families immediately.
Local media reported that the death toll included 30 men and 25 women. Eyewitnesses described the explosion as so powerful that it sounded like an airstrike. Dozens more remain hospitalized with injuries, though exact figures have not yet been confirmed.
The Kung Tet region has seen intermittent conflict between the TNLA and Myanmar’s military government, though the group has maintained that this specific incident was accidental rather than a targeted attack.
Authorities and local aid groups are continuing to assess the full scale of the destruction.
