At least 24 people have been killed and 47 wounded after a motorized paraglider dropped bombs on a crowd attending a candlelight vigil protesting Myanmar’s military government. The attack took place on Monday in the township of Chaung U during a national holiday.
What Happened
The deadly attack occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Monday in Chaung U, Myanmar, when two bombs were dropped on a crowd of around 100 people gathered for a candlelight vigil. The vigil was held as part of Myanmar’s Thadingyut festival, with protesters calling for the release of political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, who was jailed after a military coup in 2021.
The bombing was carried out using a motorized paraglider, a device operated by an individual pilot. The attack lasted around seven minutes, and survivors reported gruesome scenes with victims’ bodies being difficult to identify. Local sources said that children were among the victims, some of whom were “completely torn apart” by the blasts.
Context of the Attack
The attack came amid ongoing resistance to Myanmar’s military government, which has been engaged in violent repression since the coup in 2021. The People’s Defence Force, a group of volunteer militias fighting the military, had received prior reports of an airborne attack but were unable to stop the bombing, which occurred earlier than expected.
This attack is the latest in a series of violent events that have occurred since the military seized power, which has led to the deaths of thousands and widespread displacement. The United Nations estimates that up to 40% of Myanmar’s population is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance due to the ongoing conflict.
Reactions and International Condemnation
Amnesty International condemned the bombing, calling it part of a “disturbing trend” of violence against civilians in Myanmar. “The sickening reports emerging from the ground in central Myanmar should serve as a gruesome wake-up call that civilians in Myanmar need urgent protection,” the organization stated on Tuesday.
The attack has further exacerbated the dire situation in Myanmar, where the military continues to intensify its campaign against pockets of resistance, especially as it prepares for a staged election later this year to solidify its power.
Public and Social Media Reactions
The bombing has sparked outrage worldwide, with many condemning the military’s brutal tactics. Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes to the victims and calls for greater international action to protect civilians in Myanmar.
Closing Line:
This tragic attack underscores the urgent need for international intervention to protect the people of Myanmar. As the investigation into the bombing continues, the world remains focused on the growing humanitarian crisis in the country.
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