A woman and a child were killed when the Myat Mandalar Tun Express passenger express vehicle came under fire on the Myeik-Kawthaung highway in Tanintharyi Region.

At around 7:30pm on April 1st, the Myat Mandalar Tun Express vehicle, which was driving from Myeik to Kawthaung, was shot at between Le Taungya Village and Tamok Chong Village outside Tanintharyi township.

According to a local resident, a 6-year-old child, and a 40-year-old woman were were killed.

"In addition a monk and two men  were also injured. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance," said the local resident.

The 2nd Battalion of the People's Defense Army of Myeik District and the Joint People's Defense Team issued a statement, saying they had fired by mistake on the vehicle.

They were expecting military council's reinforcements to be traveling on the roadway.  A warning shot was intended  to stop the vehicle  but it did not stop, and it was assumed the military were disguising themselves as civilians.

The People's Defense Army issued a statement expressing condolences and sincere apologies  to the victims and their families.

Earlier this year, on February 17th, a passenger bus operated by  Shwe Nyiko was shot at on the Myeik-Kawthaung highway near Khechaung village, Pyi Gyi Mandi township, Bokpyin Township, Tanintharyi Region, killing a 7-year-old boy and a 21-year-old woman.