Devastating explosion kills, 46, as horror blast leaves 300 houses ‘past recognition’
A devastating explosion has rattled a community leaving 46 people dead and damaging around 300 houses across two separate villages – rescue operations are currently be ongoing
The horror incident occurred on Sunday(Image: Ta’ang women organization via AP)
An explosion has killed at least 46 people as residents have stated the blast has left their community “completely destroyed beyond recognition.”
The detonation is suspected to have damaged more than 300 houses across two separate villages as a massive creator was left in the earth after the impact. The explosion hit the Kaung Tat, a village in Namkham Township in Shan State, in Myanmar. The village is located near the country’s Chinese border and is currently being held by the rebel group the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
The bodies of the dead, including three Chinese nationals, were all cremated on Sunday evening. The armed rebel group stated the explosives had been stored in a warehouse to be used for local mining operations. However tragically they ignited causing the fatal blast. The TNLA stated the “accidental explosion” occurred on Sunday at around 12:00 local time (05:30 GMT).
The TNLA rebel group stated it expresses “deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, were injured, and suffered damage as a result of the explosion”. The group has announced an investigation has been launched into the incident to uncover how the detention was caused.
Around 200 homes in Kaung Tat were damaged during the incident and another 100 houses also sustained damaged in the nearby Pan Lone village. Rubble, destroyed buildings, charred debris and twisted trees could be seen in the aftermath of the horrific incident in disturbing footage from ground zero.
Rescue teams on the group stated 74 injured people were transported to a nearby hospital. One resident named Moe Z has spoken of the horror the explosion brought. They said: “Everything was completely destroyed beyond recognition.”
The local added: “It’s as if the entire village has just vanished.” Another local source stated: “Over half of the village’s houses have been destroyed. The houses near the centre of the blast were blown completely to pieces, to the point where not even the house posts remain.”
Rescue operations are currently be ongoing.
The TNLA is one of the strongest ethnic armed groups in Myanmar which opposes the ruling military junta that came to power in 2021.
The ruling military junta seized power in the country in a coup d’état on February 1, 2021 under the leadership of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Numerous rebel groups in the country rely on precious minerals to support themselves. Relaxed safety regulations make mining accidents such as underground collapses and accidental detonations common, according to AFP.
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