At least 39 people have been killed and 75 others injured after a massive explosion tore through a village in northern Myanmar, according to officials from the rebel group that controls the area. Local reports and witness accounts suggest the death toll could be even higher.
The blast occurred around midday on Sunday in Kaung Tat, a community near the Chinese border controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
In a statement, the TNLA said the explosion was caused by explosives that had been stored for mining operations. The group issued a public apology, describing the incident as a tragic accident and pledging to investigate those responsible.
“We deeply apologize for this accident, which has resulted in a tragic loss of lives and immense devastation,” TNLA spokesperson Lway Yay Oo said.
The explosion caused widespread destruction, damaging more than 200 homes and devastating large sections of the village. Residents described scenes of chaos as rescue teams searched through rubble for survivors.
A local resident identified as Moe Z told Reuters that he was traveling with friends approximately 1.5 miles from the village when the explosion occurred. He described seeing a massive mushroom cloud rise into the sky and initially believed the area had come under air attack.
According to witnesses, the force of the blast was so powerful that entire homes were obliterated. Rescue workers reportedly faced difficult conditions as they searched through collapsed structures and debris using heavy machinery.
A local journalist said some victims remained trapped beneath rubble, while houses closest to the blast site were completely destroyed.
The explosion highlights the growing role of mining and mineral extraction in Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict. The country’s rich deposits of minerals, including rare earth elements, have become significant sources of funding for both armed rebel groups and the military-backed government.
Myanmar has been engulfed in conflict since the military seized power in a 2021 coup that overthrew the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Since then, fighting between the military and various resistance groups has intensified across large parts of the country.
Although the TNLA is currently observing a ceasefire with Myanmar’s military, the region remains heavily militarized, and civilians continue to face significant risks from conflict-related activities.
The TNLA has vowed to improve safety procedures, prevent similar incidents in the future, and continue rescue and rehabilitation efforts for affected residents.
As recovery operations continue, the scale of destruction has left many families displaced and raised renewed concerns about the dangers associated with storing large quantities of explosives in populated areas.