An explosion of mining explosives in a rebel-held area in northern Myanmar killed dozens of people, including children.
According to the Associated Press and others, on May 31 (local time) a large explosion occurred in Kaungtad village, Namkham Township, northern Shan state, Myanmar. The area, adjacent to the China border, is currently controlled by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic minority armed group.
Rescue teams said they had recovered at least 46 bodies, including six children. Injuries were tallied at 74. Local media and the BBC reported that the death toll had risen to more than 55, raising the possibility of even greater casualties.
The accident was reported to have occurred when mining explosives stored in a building in the village detonated. The powerful blast damaged more than 100 nearby dwellings, and a large fire spread, amplifying the damage.
The TNLA said in a statement that "gelignite stored for use in mining and quarrying operations exploded."
Gelignite is a high-performance explosive widely used in mine blasting and civil engineering. If stored for a long time or poorly maintained, its chemical properties can change and become extremely unstable, and it is known to be at risk of exploding even from small shocks.
Rescue teams are continuing search operations to find residents buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Local authorities said the exact cause of the explosion and the scale of the damage is under investigation.