A devastating explosion in northeastern Myanmar has claimed the lives of more than 45 people and injured approximately 70 others, according to rescue workers and independent media reports.

The blast, which occurred around noon on Sunday in Kaungtup village, Namhkam township, reportedly struck a building used for storing mining explosives.

Among the confirmed fatalities, 46 bodies have been recovered, including six children, a rescue worker told The Associated Press. All have been taken for cremation.

The incident took place in an area situated about 3 kilometers (2 miles) south of the Chinese border, which is under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army. This ethnic armed group has a history of sporadic conflict with Myanmar’s central government.

The rescuer, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said 74 injured people had been transported to the township hospital and rescue operations were continuing.

Another rescuer in Namhkam, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said about 40 people were killed and more than 100 houses near the blast site were damaged.

Myanmar media outlets, including Shan State’s online Shwe Phee Myay news agency, reported death tolls ranging from 50 to 55. They published photos and videos showing smoke from the explosion and damaged buildings and debris in its aftermath.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported the explosion caused multiple deaths and injuries, with many residential houses being severely damaged, but did not give figures.

It said that according to preliminary investigations, the blast occurred at a site where large quantities of explosives used for mining operations were stored.

Local authorities are currently providing relief, medical care and resettlement assistance to affected residents, said the report.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, said in a statement released on its Telegram channel that gelignite had been stored by the group’s economic department for use in mining and stone quarrying sites, and that an investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway.

Gelignite is widely used in mining and rock blasting, but can become highly unstable over time and if poorly stored.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, is a member of the rebel Three Brotherhood Alliance, and has controlled the Namhkam area since the alliance and its allies launched a major offensive against the military in northeastern Myanmar in late 2023. The alliance members and other ethnic armed groups have long fought for increased autonomy.

The TNLA signed a ceasefire with Myanmar’s military following China-mediated talks in October last year, but relations remain tense.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, 2021, triggering widespread popular opposition. After peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict.

“When you see Kathy and Hamish there beside you, it’s impossible not to feel extra motivation. This ride is about raising money, of course, but it’s also about showing the MND community that we’re still fighting, still driving awareness, and still refusing to accept that this disease cannot be beaten.”

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But when Professor Tze Min Wah, research and innovation lead for the interventional oncology programme at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and professor of interventional radiology at the University of Leeds, saw Mrs Iveson’s case, she realised that the pioneering treatment could offer hope to Mrs Iveson and her family.

Linda Emmeline Baggley was a reserve RUC constable who died in 1976, 10 days after being shot while on foot patrol with a colleague in the Waterside area of Derry.

Families of people killed in the Troubles have come together in a service of “remembrance, devotion and love” in Co Derry.

The Baggley family were among those who attended the service at Newbuildings Methodist Church near Lisnakelly.

Linda Emmeline Baggley was a reserve RUC constable who died in 1976, 10 days after being shot while on foot patrol with a colleague in the Waterside area of Derry.

Kenny Donaldson, director of victims’ group Seff (South East Fermanagh Foundation), said the service was “a wonderful representation of remembrance, devotion and love”.

“The Baggley family were foremost in our thoughts with Lorraine sharing a family reflection concerning the upcoming 50th Anniversary since the cruel murder of Linda who passed away on June 2 1976 after having been shot and seriously injured a number of days previously,” he said.

“Linda was aged just 19 years and was a Reserve RUC GC Constable, just two years earlier her daddy, William, who was also a Reservist Constable, was also murdered in Londonderry (just 100 metres separated the brutal crimes).

“Scripture lessons were read by Gillian McElholm, daughter of Michael McGinley who was murdered by the UDA/UFF in the Annie’s Bar attack, 1972, and Jennifer Millar, daughter of Charles McNaul who was murdered by the Provisional IRA, also in the city.

“And prayers were also read by Seff’s north west-based staff; Michael McKeegan, son of Lance Corporal John McKeegan who was murdered by the Provisional IRA; and Lara Burns, daughter of Robert Burns who was murdered by the IPLO.”

Children from the Newbuildings Primary School sang a number of songs and read prayers.

Part of the prayers read by the children included: “We also appreciate the responsibility on our shoulders to both carry forth the torch of remembrance but also to build a new society – a new Northern Ireland and a united community.”

Mr Donaldson, who closed the service, said Seff’s mission is the “recalibration of attitudes concerning how society divides”.

“We are clear that the religious denomination someone happens to be born into (or not) or where someone stands on the constitutional question, is not the fundamental division,” he said.

“Rather the core basis for division is where people stand on the issue of violence, in the context of the Northern Ireland Troubles – those who used, justify or seek to explain away violence are of one tribe, and those who do not are part of the other tribe.”

Seff’s memorial quilt exhibition will be hosted at the Newbuildings Methodist Church until Wednesday.

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Breaking the cycle: Why prevention and rehabilitation are critical to safer communities

When I became Police and Crime Commissioner, I made a clear commitment to tackle not only crime itself but the root causes driving offending, addiction, anti-social behaviour, and repeat victimisation.

That commitment sits firmly at the heart of my Police, Crime, and Justice Plan 2025-2029 and my ambition to build communities that are safer, stronger, and more resilient to alcohol and drug-related crime and disorder.

Breaking the cycle (Image: Supplied)

It was this determination that led me to establish the Criminal Justice Policy Roundtable, bringing together policing, prisons, probation, health, housing, universities, charities, and people with lived experience to confront some of the biggest failings and pressures within our criminal justice system.

The Roundtable was never designed to be a talking shop.

It was created to challenge outdated thinking, drive practical reform, and identify evidence-led solutions that cut crime, reduce reoffending, and better protect victims and communities.

It was meant to add value to the excellent partnership working that exists around the Local Criminal Justice Board that I chair.

Because the reality is stark: we cannot arrest our way out of addiction.

Across the country, courts are overwhelmed, prisons are overcrowded, and reoffending rates remain far too high.

Meanwhile, communities continue to suffer the consequences of repeat offending, acquisitive crime, anti-social behaviour, violence, and exploitation linked to drugs and alcohol.

Behind many offences lie deeper problems: addiction, trauma, mental ill-health, homelessness, domestic abuse, and social exclusion.

If we fail to address those drivers, we simply trap people in a revolving door of offending, custody, and crisis while communities continue to pay the price.

The Roundtable examined these issues head-on.

One major focus was women in the criminal justice system.

Many women who offend are themselves victims of abuse, exploitation, and trauma.

Short prison sentences often fail to rehabilitate and instead worsen instability, break family ties, and increase the risk of reoffending.

The report calls for stronger trauma-informed support, earlier intervention, improved diversion schemes, and community-based alternatives that tackle the causes of offending while maintaining accountability and protecting the public.

Housing and homelessness were also identified as major drivers of repeat offending.

People leaving prison without stable accommodation are far more likely to relapse into addiction, become involved in crime again, or fall into exploitation and rough sleeping.

That is why the Roundtable recommended stronger “through-the-gate” support and far better coordination between housing, probation, healthcare, and treatment services.

The discussions also highlighted the enormous impact addiction has on crime and anti-social behaviour.

Around half of acquisitive crime is linked to drugs, while addiction continues to fuel violence, disorder, and repeat offending.

The Roundtable explored innovative approaches including Drug Testing on Arrest, recovery-focused treatment pathways, and diversion schemes designed to break the cycle of addiction and crime before more victims are created.

None of this is about being soft on crime.

It is about being smarter, tougher, and more effective in reducing crime long-term.

Every prevented relapse, every avoided reoffence, and every person successfully supported into recovery means fewer victims, fewer crimes, and safer streets.

The Criminal Justice Policy Roundtable was created to drive action, influence national debate, and deliver practical change that improves public safety and strengthens communities.

And this report is only the beginning.

You can read the full Policy Roundtable Evaluation Report and explore the recommendations in more detail by using the following link: https://bit.ly/PolicyRoundtableEvaluation.

Ends