A powerful explosion in a village in Myanmar’s northern Shan State has killed at least 55 people and injured dozens more, according to local sources and regional authorities, as rescue teams continue searching through debris for survivors.

The blast occurred in Kaung Tat village in Namkham Township, an area near the Chinese border that is currently under the control of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), one of several ethnic armed groups operating in Myanmar.

Sources familiar with the situation reported that the victims included at least 25 women and 30 men, though casualty figures have varied slightly among different local reports as authorities continue to verify the number of dead and injured.

Emergency responders and local volunteers worked through the night to recover bodies and search for people believed to be trapped beneath collapsed structures. Medical teams were also deployed to treat the wounded, many of whom suffered severe burns and blast-related injuries.

In an initial statement, the TNLA said the explosion was linked to industrial explosives used for mining and quarrying operations in the area. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the blast and whether improper storage, handling failures, or accidental detonation may have contributed to the disaster.

Witnesses described a massive explosion that could be heard several kilometers away, followed by thick smoke rising over the village. Several homes and nearby buildings were reportedly destroyed or heavily damaged by the force of the blast.

Local humanitarian organizations said access to the affected area remains challenging due to damaged roads and ongoing instability in parts of Shan State. Additional rescue equipment and medical supplies have been sent to the region to support relief efforts.

The tragedy comes amid continuing conflict across Myanmar, where clashes between the military government and ethnic armed organizations have displaced large numbers of civilians and strained emergency response capabilities. Humanitarian agencies warned that the difficult security situation could complicate recovery operations and assistance for affected families.

Regional officials said rescue and recovery work would continue in the coming days as authorities seek to account for all those affected. Investigators are also expected to assess the safety of nearby mining and quarrying facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As communities in Shan State mourn the victims, local leaders have called for support for survivors and the families of those killed in one of the deadliest industrial-related disasters reported in the region in recent years. (ILKHA)