A military airstrike in western Myanmar has resulted in 50 fatalities and 58 injuries, according to aid workers. The attack occurred on Monday in the riverside commercial hub of Kyauktaw town in Rakhine state. Witnesses reported that the military's air force raided the area around midday, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The death toll is expected to rise as some bodies were lost in fires following the bombing.
Local residents are still searching for bodies and trying to come to terms with the tragedy. Aung Chay, a 49-year-old man, is among those searching for his brother-in-law, who he believes was killed in the attack. He expressed his anguish and frustration, saying that civilians are being unjustly murdered. The attack has sparked widespread condemnation, with the UN rights chief Volker Turk highlighting the "grave plight faced by civilians across the country".
The Arakan Army, an ethnic rebel force controlling the area, has confirmed that 50 people died in the attack. The group stated that those killed were "innocent passersby, market vendors, shoppers and cargo loaders". The military's actions have been criticized for their impact on civilians, with many calling for an immediate cessation of violence.
Families gathered in the area to claim bodies covered by thin plastic sheeting or boxed up in plywood coffins under an outdoor pavilion. Aung Chay expressed his despair, saying that he did not know where to find his brother-in-law's body or whom to ask for help. The emotional toll of the attack is evident, with many residents left to pick up the pieces and try to rebuild their lives.
The UN rights chief Volker Turk has called for an end to the violence and urged the international community to take action. He stated that Myanmar has been wracked by extreme violence for years, resulting in pervasive human rights violations and abuses. The international community has been urged to hold the military accountable for their actions.
The airstrike has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, both locally and internationally. The attack is one of the deadliest recent bombardments in the civil war, and has raised concerns about the military's tactics and their impact on civilians. An initial reported death toll of around 30 was revised upwards as more bodies were recovered.
The final fatality figure may still be higher as some bodies were lost in fires after the bombing, according to aid worker Wai Hun Aung. The attack has underlined the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with many calling for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations between the parties involved.
Key points
- The airstrike resulted in 50 fatalities and 58 injuries.
- The attack has sparked widespread condemnation, with the UN rights chief Volker Turk highlighting the "grave plight faced by civilians across the country".
- The final fatality figure may still be higher as some bodies were lost in fires after the bombing.
