Maungdaw boy dies in explosion of unexploded ordnance

By Admin 04 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
4 May 2023, Maungdaw

A 4-year-old boy died in an explosion of an unexploded grenade on Wednesday in the village of Wetkyein, part of Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township.

The grenade exploded at his house after he had taken it home from another location. His right limbs were severed by the explosion and he reportedly died instantly.

“He was playing with his friends around 100 feet from his home. Then he went back home with a grenade, which exploded at his home. We don’t know where he found the grenade. He died immediately,” the administrator of Wetkyein village U Aung Hsan told DMG.

Junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) clashed in October of last year in Wetkyein Village, and the grenade must have been left near the village during the fighting, said U Aung Hsan.

The funeral for the young boy was held on Thursday, and villagers say they are concerned about this type of thing happening again.

“After what occurred, parents have had to warn their children about [unexploded ordnance]. Villagers also urge each other to exercise caution when they go out of the village. We have concerns,” said a resident.

According to a DMG tally, seven civilians were killed and 14 others were injured in explosions of landmines and unexploded ordnance since the latest ceasefire between Myanmar military and the AA on November 26 last year.

There were three fatalities in Maungdaw, two in Ponnagyun and one each in Buthidaung and Minbya townships. Five were injured in Buthidaung, four in Ponnagyun, and one each in Maungdaw, Mrauk-U, Ann, Kyauktaw and Rathedaung townships.