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A powerful explosion at a building storing mining explosives in northeastern Myanmar has killed more than 45 people and injured dozens more, according to rescue workers and independent media reports.

The blast occurred around noon on Sunday in Kaungtup village in Namhkam township, an area near the Chinese border that is currently under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group involved in ongoing conflict with Myanmar’s central military government.

Heavy Casualties Reported

Rescue workers who arrived at the scene said the explosion caused widespread devastation. One responder reported that 46 bodies, including six children, had been recovered by Sunday evening and taken for cremation. Another local rescuer estimated that around 45 people were killed, while more than 100 homes were damaged in the surrounding area, reported AP.

In addition, at least 74 injured people were transported to a township hospital, with emergency operations continuing into the night as teams searched for survivors.

Myanmar media outlets reported varying death tolls, with some estimating between 50 and 55 fatalities. Images and videos circulating online showed thick smoke rising from the blast site, along with collapsed buildings and scattered debris.

Cause of Explosion Under Investigation

Preliminary reports suggest the explosion occurred at a site where large quantities of gelignite, a powerful industrial explosive commonly used in mining and quarrying, were being stored.

The TNLA said in a statement that the explosives were held by its economic department for mining-related operations and confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the blast is underway.

Gelignite is known to become unstable if improperly stored over time, raising concerns that unsafe handling or storage conditions may have contributed to the explosion.

Conflict Zone and Ongoing Instability

The blast site lies in a region controlled by the TNLA, a member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which has been engaged in armed conflict with Myanmar’s military for years.

The group expanded its territorial control following a major offensive launched in late 2023. Although the TNLA signed a ceasefire agreement mediated by China in 2025, tensions with the military remain high, and sporadic fighting continues in parts of northern Myanmar.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military coup in February 2021, which ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup triggered nationwide protests, a violent crackdown, and the rise of multiple armed resistance groups across the country.

Relief Efforts Underway

Local authorities and rescue teams are currently providing medical assistance, relief supplies, and resettlement support to affected residents. However, access to the area remains difficult due to ongoing instability and the region’s remote location near the border.

As investigations continue, officials are working to determine whether the explosion was caused by improper storage, accidental detonation, or other factors linked to the volatile conditions at the site.

The incident adds to a growing list of tragedies in Myanmar’s conflict-affected regions, where weak infrastructure, military tensions, and the presence of explosive materials continue to pose significant risks to civilians.

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