At least 55 people were killed in a powerful explosion on Sunday in Kaung Tat village of Shan State, northeastern Myanmar, near the Chinese border. The incident occurred on June 1, 2026, and rescue workers confirmed the death toll. According to a source cited by the BBC, the victims included 25 women and 30 men, though other reports mentioned slightly different figures. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising over the village immediately after the blast.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an armed group involved in anti-junta operations in the region, stated that the explosion was accidental and caused by explosives used in mining and stone extraction. Some residents initially suspected an airstrike, but TNLA clarified the cause in a statement. The group’s political wing, the Palaung State Liberation Front, expressed condolences to the victims’ families through a Telegram post.

Footage from the site showed large craters, destroyed houses, and debris scattered across the area, with smoke still rising from the charred remains and damaged trees.