More than 40 people were killed on Sunday in an explosion at a building in northeastern Myanmar that was reportedly storing explosives for mining.

Around 70 people were injured, according to rescue workers.

The explosion occurred in the village of Kaungtup in Namhkam Township, about three kilometers (two miles) south of the Chinese border.

The area is controlled by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic rebel group that has fought sporadically against Myanmar's central government.

Myanmar has been gripped by a civil war since the military seized power in a 2021 coup that ousted the democratic government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar's military is facing a range of pro-democracy rebels and ethnic minority armed groups.

What do we know about the blast?

It is unclear exactly how many people died. Rescuers cited by the Associated Press said that between 40 and 46 people were killed, including children. According to AFP sources, the number of casualties ranges from 46 to 59.

Myanmar media outlets, including the Shan State-based online news agency Shwe Phee Myay, reported death tolls ranging from 50 to 55.

According to local reports, the explosion damaged numerous residential buildings in the surrounding area.

Rescue workers are continuing to search for people buried under the rubble. Namhkam Hospital reported an acute shortage of blood supplies to treat the injured.

The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the explosion caused multiple deaths and injuries, as well as severe damage to many residential buildings.

CCTV added that, according to preliminary investigations, the blast occurred at a site where large quantities of explosives used for mining operations were stored.

What did the rebel group say?

In a statement released on its Telegram channel, the TNLA confirmed that its economic department had stored gelignite for use in mining and stone quarrying sites.

The TNLA expressed sympathy for the victims of the explosion and announced a thorough investigation.

While gelignite is widely used in mining and rock blasting, it can become highly unstable over time if stored improperly.

The TNLA is part of the rebel Three Brotherhood Alliance, which is fighting for greater autonomy for ethnic groups. The group controlled the Namhkam area since the alliance and its allies launched a major offensive against the Myanmar military in the northeast in late 2023. 

The TNLA signed a ceasefire with the Myanmar military last October following China-mediated talks, but relations remain tense.

Edited by: Karl Sexton

Don't let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google by clicking here and hitting the "star" or "preferred" button, so you'll always see our verified news first.