A peaceful night of celebration turned deadly in central Myanmar. A low-flying paramotor dropped bombs on a crowd gathered for the Tadingyut Festival, a major Buddhist holiday. The attack killed at least 24 people and injured 47 others.
The Tadingyut Festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, marks the Buddha’s return from heaven. It’s a time for joy and reflection. This year, in the town of Chaung-U, people lit candles. But their gathering held a dual purpose: they were also protesting the military government that seized power in 2021.
Officials from the National Unity Government (NUG), an opposition group, shared the casualty figures with BBC Burmese. They stated that the paramotor, believed to belong to the military, struck the festival grounds.
A Rapid and Devastating Attack
Around 100 people were at the event, lighting candles and demonstrating against military rule. Members of the People’s Defence Force (PDF), an armed resistance group, knew an aerial attack might happen. They tried to end the gathering quickly. However, the paramotor arrived sooner than expected. It flew over, dropping two bombs in just seven minutes.
Witnesses on the ground described a horrific scene. The explosions were incredibly powerful. Identifying the dead was very difficult, and some bodies were beyond recognition. Several children were reportedly torn apart by the blasts.
A Pattern of Civilian Harm
Amnesty International condemned the attack. They called it part of a worrying pattern of assaults on civilians. The human rights group noted that Myanmar’s military has increasingly used paramotors for attacks. This shift comes as international sanctions have limited their access to more traditional aircraft and helicopters.
Jo Freeman, a researcher for Amnesty International in Myanmar, spoke out. He said this attack is a harsh reminder. Civilians in Myanmar desperately need protection from violence.
Freeman urged the ASEAN bloc, a group of Southeast Asian nations, to take stronger action. ASEAN is set to hold a summit later this month. He called on them to increase pressure on the military government. He also said they must rethink their approach, which has failed to protect Myanmar’s people for nearly five years.
Protests and a Disputed Election
The festival-goers used their candlelit gathering to protest several issues. They spoke out against forced military conscription. They also opposed the general election planned for December. They demanded the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners.
The military government intends to hold these elections in December. This would be the first national vote since the 2021 coup. However, experts believe these elections will not be free or fair. They suggest the vote is merely a tool for the military to cement its hold on power.
Source: BBC