Mining explosives blast kills 55 in Myanmar's rebel-controlled area

The blast occurred around midday in Kaungtup village in Namhkam Township, Shan State, an area near the Chinese border controlled by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group that has fought Myanmar's military government for years.

In Short

• Blast occurred in building storing mining explosives near Chinese border
• Rescue teams continue search amid heavy destruction and smoke
• Over 100 houses damaged, large parts of village affected

A powerful explosion at a building reportedly used to store mining explosives killed at least 55 people and injured dozens more in northeastern Myanmar on Sunday, according to rescue workers cited by the BBC.

The blast occurred around midday in Kaungtup village in Namhkam Township, Shan State, an area near the Chinese border controlled by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group that has fought Myanmar's military government for years.

According to the BBC, local sources said at least 55 people were killed, including 25 women and 30 men. Rescue operations continued into the evening as teams searched through debris for survivors and recovered bodies trapped beneath collapsed structures.

Photos and videos shared by local media showed thick smoke rising above the village and widespread destruction in the surrounding area. Reports indicated that more than 100 houses were damaged, with entire sections of the neighbourhood affected by the blast.

The TNLA said in a statement that the explosion involved gelignite stored by its economic department for use in mining and stone quarrying operations. The group said preliminary findings suggested the blast originated from a facility where large quantities of mining explosives had been kept. An investigation into the cause of the incident is under way.

Gelignite is commonly used in mining and construction projects but can become unstable if stored improperly or for long periods.

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