The unexplained detonation of explosives stored by one of Myanmar's rebel armies has left at least 55 dead as the search for survivors continued amid widespread devastation at the site, witnesses said on Monday.
The explosion in Kaung Tat village happened around noon (0530 GMT) on Sunday, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said in a statement, in which it said many had died without giving a specific toll.
Residents and media reported the toll at at least 55, with the search at the blast site ongoing. The TNLA did not reply to a request for comment on Monday. "Everything was completely destroyed beyond recognition," resident Moe Z told Reuters. He was travelling on a road about 1-1/2 miles (2.4 km) away when the explosion happened, saying a mushroom cloud of smoke billowed into the sky.
