Train trips between Yangon and Mawlamyine have been temporarily canceled after a mine was detonated and destroyed the railroad at the Kha Lon bridge near Kyaikkathar village in Kyaikto Township, Mon State.

The iron bridge built over the Kha Lon stream between Moke Pa Lin and Kyaikkathar stations was hit by a mine attack at around 4:00 AM on January 26th. As a result of the explosion, the walls of the bridge were cracked and the train tracks twisted, locals said.

“Once the bridge is repaired, train services will resume. Currently, train trips are temporarily cancelled. We will announce the day when the trips resume. Refunds will be issued to those who purchased tickets”, an official of Mawlamyine station said.

Mawlamyine station’s announcement stated that due to the condition of the bridge and railway, it is impossible for the trains to pass through, so the trips have been temporarily canceled from January 27th.

Officials from the Myanma Railways (MR) are now doing their best to repair the damaged railway line, the statement added.

Travelers say that those who bought train tickets in advance are now being refunded.

After the Military coup, inspections on highway roads have been tightened under the pretext of security hence people prefer to travel by trains rather than cars.

“Train trips have been canceled, so those who depend on the trains to travel face difficulties. But, ticket fees are fully refunded. It is not yet known how long the train journeys will be suspended. They said that the station will announce the date when the services resume”, A train passenger who regularly travels up and down the Yangon-Mawlamyine trip said.

Similarly, in December last year, a cargo train suffered a mine attack on Yangon-Mawlamyine railway between Theinzeik and Don Wun, leading to temporary cancellation of train trips.  After that incident, MR stopped nighttime Yangon-Mawlamyine passenger train trips and only operated during daytimes until now.