A large explosion that went off at a train station in the eastern Bago Region town of Nyaunglebin on Monday killed three people and injured nine, according to local sources.
Residents of the area said that the blast could be heard from several kilometres away.
“The explosion was quite big, and also very destructive. Anyone within a four-mile radius could hear it and feel the vibrations,” said one local man.
Two victims—Thet Naing Tun and Nwe Nwe Win—were killed instantly, while a third, identified as Lei Lei Aye, died upon arrival at the hospital, according to rescue workers.
Among the injured were six farm workers from Magway Region who were on their way home when the explosion occurred. They and three others were sent to hospitals in Nyaunglebin and Bago to receive treatment for their injuries.
The bodies of the deceased were reportedly collected by their families on Wednesday.
According to locals, the site of the blast was a newly rebuilt area of the old train station. An opening ceremony was held there only a short time ago, they added.
No organisation has claimed responsibility for the explosion, and anti-regime forces have denied any involvement.
An information officer for the Bago Region People’s Defence Force (PDF) told Myanmar Now that the attack was not carried out by any battalion under the command of the forces led by the popularly mandated National Unity Government.
“Relevant investigative groups stated that the PDF had no responsibility for the explosion,” he said.
However, pro-regime propaganda outlets blamed the PDF for the incident, without providing any evidence.
Thousands of civilians in Nyaunglebin and neighbouring Shwegyin Township have been displaced in recent months by fighting between regime and resistance forces.
Late last month, junta troops threatened to destroy several villages in Nyaunglebin Township in retaliation for the killing of two alleged regime informants.
Eastern Bago Region is regarded as a stronghold of Brigade 3 of the Karen National Liberation Army, an armed group under the command of the Karen National Union.
