Child killed by artillery explosion, two others injured

By Khaing Roe La 28 Apr 2019

Khaing Roe La/ DMG

April 28, Rathedaung

A child died and two other children received severe injuries due to an explosion of an artillery shell in Khayu Chaung village, Rathedaung Township, villagers said.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning, after they found an artillery shell near the village creek and one of them hit it with a piece of rubble.

The 14-year old boy, identified Maung Aung Myo Naing (aka) Bo Thura, died and a 12-year old boy, named Maung Aung Myo Win and a 4-year old girl were severely injured. The injured children are now at the Rathedaung hospital.

“The children found an artillery shell left over from a conflict. They were curious and hit it with a piece of rubble,” said U Pa Nyaw Batha, senior monk of the monastery in Khayu Chaung village.

“The child who hit the shell died on the spot. The other two injured in their hands and legs,” the monk said.

On January 14, a child also died of an explosion of an artillery shell after he hit it with a stone. He found it at the spot where a clash occurred near Yay Kaung Chaung village in Rathedaung Township.

Following such incidents, parents from armed conflict areas are worried for their children because there are many unexploded artillery shells left over from battles near villages.