At least ten people fleeing the war in Sagaing Region have drowned after the bamboo bridge they were crossing broke under their weight, sending them tumbling down to the river.

The civilians fled violence between the People’s Defence Forces and Burma Army (BA) near their villages of Ashyae Si and Doh Nwe on Thursday morning. Fighting has been breaking out in southern Kalay Township for about a week.

According to an anonymous volunteer, a mother and a two-year-old were among the deceased who fell into the Myit Tha River when the bridge, which is 200 feet long and 5 feet wide, collapsed when too many people attempted to cross it at the same time.

”They fled when the BA was coming,” he said. They’ve already recovered the bodies of six people, including the toddler, as well as nine motorbikes that also fell in, but had to stop the search until the BA stopped shelling the area.

Fighting near Ashyae Si and Doh Nwe has continued through Friday. Some seeking refuge have reached Kalay town, while others are hiding in the jungles of the township.

According to estimates from volunteers, almost 5,000 people from 10 villages in southern Kalay township were displaced by the conflict.