In Tanintharyi Region’s Yebyu Township, near Mayanchaung village along the Ye–Dawei Highway (No.8), two landmine explosions occurred in recent days, leaving one child dead and three injured.
At the same location, there were landmine explosions on September 1st and on August 30th, when local travellers stepped on them.
On the morning of September 1st, three family members from Mayanchaung Village, riding a motorcycle to Kalain Aung to shop. They stepped on a landmine near a roadblock made of logs along the main road between Mayanchaung and Kawthlaing villages.
“The road was blocked with trees. Since the motorcycle could not get through, they got off to clear it, and at that moment, the mine exploded. The man was seriously injured, his wife was only slightly hurt, and their child was dead. All three were family members,” said a resident from Yebyu.
As a result of the landmine explosion, U Ko Oo, around 50 years old, and his wife, Daw Zar Chi Moe, around 30, were injured, and their two-year-old son was killed.
Similarly, on August 30th, a couple riding a motorcycle from Kalain Aung to Mayanchaung Village stepped on a landmine while trying to go around a road blocked with felled trees. The man, in his 30s, suffered a broken leg and other injuries.
Due to landmines along the roadside near Mayanchaung Village, one child has died and three others have been injured to date. Those who sustained serious injuries were sent to Dawei General Hospital for medical treatment.
“Both junta troops and resistance groups are present in the area. It is not yet possible to state clearly who is responsible for the landmines,” said a revolutionary fighter on the ground.
Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution and to completely avoid travelling through areas blocked by any objects, including trees or logs.
“Some of the revolutionary forces have also gone that way, and the junta forces have gone that way too, so we don’t really know whose landmines these are. As residents, we want to keep people away from those areas. It’s best not to go to places that are blocked. Since fighting is continuing in the areas where the roads are currently blocked, it’s safest not to go at all. We would only allow people to pass once the revolutionary side notifies us that it’s safe,” he said.
Previously people could travel in the area, without cautions, however now, locals fear that landmines are being planted by armed groups from both sides.
The road between Mayanchaung and Kalain Aung along the Ye–Dawei Highway remains closed to travelers as of September 2.
