One child was killed and at least 20 others were injured in an explosion at a primary school in Eain Shae Pyin ward at the entrance of Dawei in Tanintaryi Region. Some of the injured are in critical condition, according to local residents.
The explosion took place at midday on 4 June during the lunch break, residents said.
One child died on the spot and nearly 20 children were injured. Some of the injured lost their legs, local residents said.
A local from Dawei said, “As far as I know, the explosion occurred when the children were leaving the school. The explosion occurred when the victim was playing with a heavy shell or a bomb. I don’t know the detail information about it.”
The fighting took place between the military council force and the joint resistance forces on 13 May in Eain Shae Pyin ward where the explosion occurred, said local residents.
The children who were seriously injured in the explosion were taken to Dawei military hospital, with the help of the social organization, and the school was also temporarily closed, according to local residents.
Following the explosion, the military council blocked the roads around the school where the explosion occurred and cleared them.
Basic education schools across the country reopened on 3 June. This is the first school explosion during this academic year.
The spokesperson for the Dawei Township People’s Defense Force (PDF) said that the explosion resulted from either a mine planted by the military council following the battle or a leftover shell from the council’s artillery fire.
Not only the military council but also the joint resistance forces have yet to release any statement about the explosion.
Sent by Than Lwin Times.