The materials exploded on Sunday around noon in the town of Kaungtup in Namhkam commune. The area is approximately 3 km south of the border with China. The region is under the control of the Taang National Liberation Army, an ethnic armed group that has engaged in sporadic fighting against Myanmar's central government.
By Sunday evening, 46 bodies, including six children, had been found and taken for cremation — a rescuer who rushed to the site of the explosion told AP. He asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
Rescuers transported 74 injured people to the city hospital. Emergency services continue the search.
Tragic estimates
The Shwe Phee Myay online news agency in Shan State put the death toll at between 50 and 55. Myanmar media published photos and videos showing smoke from the explosion and damaged buildings and debris.
China's state television CCTV reported that the blast killed many people and injured others. The detonation seriously damaged many residential houses, the station reported. However, the television did not provide any figures.
The initial cause of the tragedy is known
According to preliminary findings, the explosives exploded where large amounts of substances were stored. Miners used them in their mining activities.
