The bombs exploded near Kandawgyi Lake in Myanmar’s former capital as revelers celebrated the annual New Year water festival on Thursday.

State television said that five men and four women had been killed. A fourth bomb was reportedly diffused.

Lakeside park closed after blasts

Most of the marquees erected along the scenic lakeside as part of the New Year celebrations are run by companies that have close connections with the authorities. Television footage showed blood on a path in the park, which was closed after the bombings. Dozens of people gathered outside Yangon General Hospital for news of their relatives.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility. Bombings in the past have been blamed by the junta on dissident groups and separatist rebels. The media said that an investigation had been launched to find those responsible.

The blasts come as Myanmar, also known as Burma, is preparing for elections, which have already been dismissed as a sham by critics of the authoritarian military regime.

act/AFP/Reuters/AP

Editor: Thomas Baerthlein