Cha Lu Aung — Locals have reported that two Muslim children were killed and another was injured following an explosion at Thayet Pyin village in Buthidaung Township. The incident occurred at around 11 a.m. on May 12.

According to Pulsira Mauk, the Shar Key village headman, the three children were walking to Thayet Pyin village to pick vegetables when the explosion occurred. They have been identified as Ranhelyn, 10, and Ahdullamen, 15, from Shar Key (Muslim) village, and 12-year-old Shargeykha Babi from Hpon Nyo Leik village.

Ranhelyn died at the scene of a head wound, while Ahdullamen’s right leg was severed in the blast and he succumbed to blood loss while being taken to hospital. The surviving victim Shargeykha Babi was injured in the right arm, according to the village headman.

“Three children had gone to Thayet Pyin to collect firewood and pick vegetables. I don’t know who put the mine there. Thayet Pyin is deserted, no one lives there,” he said.

Locals believe that either a mine or unexploded ordnance caused the explosion. In October last year, fierce fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army near Thayet Pyin village forced many people to abandon their homes and seek shelter in Buthidaung town.

Throughout the course of the war, civilian casualties caused by landmines, stray bullets, artillery shells and unexploded ordnance have continued to mount in conflict-affected areas of Arakan State.