School girl killed by gunfire, five others injured

By Khaing Roe La 20 May 2019

Khaing Roe La/ DMG

May 20, Sittwe

A school girl in the fifth grade died and five other people were injured by mortar fire in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State at 6 p.m on May 19.

Ma Athein Chay from Myauktaung village was struck by a stray bullet in her head. She was on the way home with her brother from a monastery where they donated beverages, her brother escaped.

In addition, Daw Ma Aung Htwee and her three children from Malar village were injured when a mortar shell hit their home, Daw Ma Aung Twee said.

“I heard a cracking sound from a shell in the road, then water bottles and pots in my house were crashed. A shell landed near us. At that time, my baby cried and I saw blood coming from him,” she said.

All five injured were sent to Kyauktaw hospital, but the three-year-old child, Maung Khaing Linn Htay had to be transferred to Sittwe hospital later due to the severity of injuries.

“All my children were injured.  But the youngest one got serious injuries and was sent to Sittwe hospital,” she said.

The school girl who died by a stray bullet in Mrauktaung village was sent to Kyauktaw hospital and her funeral was held on May 21.