Mrauk-U Twsp man severely injured in landmine blast

18 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
18 January 2023, Mrauk-U

A young local man from Panphetan Village in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township was severely wounded in a landmine explosion on Wednesday, according to a family member.

The victim has been identified as Ko Kyaw Hsan, a 22-year-old ethnic Khami man. He was seriously injured after he stepped on the landmine while on his way to a farm about one mile from the village, said U Soe Thura, a relative.

“He stepped on a landmine when we went to a farm to cut down trees. I am very sad that this happened to a young man. He is now disabled,” he added.

Ko Kyaw Hsan’s right leg was amputated below the knee and his left leg was also seriously injured. He is receiving treatment at Mrauk-U Hospital.

“Ko Kyaw Hsan’s right leg was amputated. Now he has a blood transfusion and is regaining consciousness,” said an official from Mrauk-U’s Karuna Hlaine blood donor association.

The Myanmar military has warned residents not to travel around the area as troops from the Mrauk-U-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 378 are stationed near Phayargyi Hill.

Wednesday’s incident is believed to be the first landmine blast in Arakan State since the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) reached a ceasefire on November 26, following months of renewed fighting.

At least 162 people were injured and 64 people died due to landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs) in Arakan State and Paletwa Township, Chin State, in 2022, according to a DMG tally.