Landmine blast kills teenage boy, injures two others in Rathedaung Twsp

By Admin 16 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
16 May 2024, Rathedaung

A teenager was killed and two others were injured after they stepped on a landmine planted by the Myanmar military near a school in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as Maung Khin Maung Than, 16, from Kyauktan Village and the two injured are Maung Aung Moe Oo, 18, and Maung Soe Tin Than, 16. The trio encountered the landmine near a school in Kanpyin Village while going to the village from Kyauktan Village on May 15.

“One of the three injured in a landmine blast died on the way to the hospital. The two injured have been sent to the hospital,” said a resident of Kyauktan Village.

Locals have accused the military of planting the landmine as junta soldiers were once stationed on the hill where the encounter took place.

Civilian landmine casualties have been frequent in areas where junta soldiers have temporarily encamped in Arakan State.

“We must be aware of the risk of landmines if we return home. As long as landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs) are not effectively cleared, the danger is at hand for us,” said a local woman in Rathedaung.

Dozens of civilians have been killed or injured by landmines and ERWs in Arakan State since renewed fighting between Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) broke out in November.