Two boys killed, four other people hurt in grenade blast in Ponnagyun Twsp

04 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
4 February 2023, Ponnagyun

Two Grade 7 students were killed and four others were injured when a grenade exploded in Kontan Kyeinchaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, on Friday night.

The deceased have been identified as Maung Nay Lin Htay and Maung Tin Maung Soe, with the two 12-year-old boys reportedly succumbing to their injuries at Ponnagyun Hospital.

The injured have been identified as Maung Myo Lin Naing, 12, Maung Min Htet Kyaw, 12, U Aye Tun Hla, in his 50s, and Ko Ah Maung Chay, 30.

Maung Htet Kyaw’s injuries are considered relatively minor, but the other three three people are said to be in critical condition and are currently receiving treatment at Ponnagyun Hospital.

A resident of Kontan Kyeinchaung village told DMG that a drunk man brought a grenade into a local shop at around 9:00 on Friday night and inadvertently detonated it.

“The children were buying medicine at the shop when Ko Ah Maung Chay drunkenly brought a grenade and exploded it inside the shop. Two children were killed and three others, including the shop owner, were wounded in the blast,” a resident of Kontan Kyeinchaung Cillage told DMG.

An aunt of Maung Tin Maung Soe told DMG that the bodies of the deceased were brought to the village and would be buried on Sunday.

“We were sleeping when the grenade exploded. We heard crying after the blast. After we went to the scene of the blast, the victims were taken to the hospital. My nephew lost his arms and legs,” she said. “His mother is like a madwoman. One of the deceased was going to be novitiated soon. I have no words to express my feelings.”

Meanwhile, a Grade 5 student from Khamaungseik Village, part of Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, was reportedly killed in a landmine explosion on Thursday.