At least 15 people were either killed or injured in an explosion at an explosives storage facility operated by the ethnic Kokang armed group, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), in Hsenwi Township’s Man Mai village in northern Shan State on Tuesday.
“It was a very loud explosion. It occurred inside the MNDAA compound,” a Hsenwi resident told DVB. Hsenwi is located 31 miles (49 km) north of the regional capital Lashio and 274 miles (440 km) north of the Shan State capital Taunggyi. Hswenwi was seized by the MNDAA on Jan. 7 2024.
The casualties include two Chinese nationals, five workers, and eight MNDAA members, according to Hsenwi residents. The MNDAA has not issued a statement regarding the explosion. DVB is unable to independently verify the exact number of casualties.
Hsenwi was among at least seven major northern Shan towns seized by the MNDAA during Operation 1027, a coordinated offensive launched by the Brotherhood Alliance against the military on Oct. 27, 2023.
During the offensive, the MNDAA also seized Kutkai, Monekoe, Chinshwehaw, Laukkai, Hpawnghseng and Kunlong in northern Shan along the Myanmar-China border.
At least 56 civilians were killed and 150 others were injured after an explosion at a storage facility run by the ethnic Palaung armed group, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), in Namhkam Township’s Kaungtup village on May 31. Namkham is located 128 miles (205 km) north of Lashio.
