At least 55 people, including six children, were killed and dozens more injured after an accidental explosion involving mining explosives devastated a village in Myanmar northern Shan State, according to local rebel authorities.
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The blast occurred on Sunday afternoon in Kaung Tat village, located in Namkham Township, an area controlled by the Palaung Self Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA). The armed group said the explosion was triggered when soft gunpowder stored for mining operations accidentally detonated around 12:30 p.m. local time.
At least 55 people have been killed in an explosion in a village in northeastern Myanmar. The building where the incident took place is said to have stored mining explosives.
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Rescue workers described the destruction as catastrophic, with much of the village reduced to rubble. Emergency teams rushed to the scene to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures while treating injured residents. Local authorities issued an urgent appeal for blood donations as hospitals and medical facilities worked to cope with the large number of casualties.
According to the PSLF/TNLA, the death toll included 30 men and 25 women. Several homes and buildings were heavily damaged or completely destroyed by the powerful blast. Officials warned that the number of casualties could rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
The armed group said an investigation would be conducted to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities also indicated that legal action would be taken if any violations or negligence were found during the inquiry.
Myanmar has been facing years of conflict involving the military government and various ethnic armed organizations. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army is among the prominent ethnic rebel groups operating in the country’s northern regions and has been engaged in a long-running struggle against the central authorities.
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While the explosion was reported as an accident linked to mining materials, the scale of the disaster has highlighted the risks associated with storing explosive substances near residential communities. Rescue operations remained ongoing as authorities assessed the full extent of the damage and supported affected families.