A 10-year-old child was killed and two seriously injured in the explosion of a landmine near an IDP camp in Ganang Taung, Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State, according to local residents.
The incident occurred around 12:30 pm on 8 October when the children were playing near the camp.
The explosion was likely triggered by the children when they were playing with objects, said U Kyan Thein Shay, administrator of Yoe Ta Yoke village.
“Myo Zaw Hein, Nay Toe Hein and Myo Chit Oo were playing at the time. I think the mine exploded because they accidentally hit it with a stone or something,” he said.
The child who was killed is Maung Nay Toe Hein, the 10-year-old son of U Zaw Naing from Sinthei village. The injured were 8-year-old Maung Myo Zaw Hein and 6-year-old Maung Myo Chit Oo, he added.
According to reports, the two seriously injured children were taken to Sittwe Hospital from Ponnagyun Hospital.
Locals reported that the area where the explosion occurred had been a Myanmar army camp during the resurgence of fighting in 2022.
According to the Rakhine Ethnic Congress (REC), 49 people died and more than 70 were injured by leftover landmines and unexploded ordnance in Arakan State between November 2018 and October 2021.
Sent by Narinjara.