Bangkok: The Kachin ethnic group has reported that 60 people have been killed in an attack by the Myanmar army. The rescue worker also confirmed this news.
A celebratory event in Myanmar’s northern state of Kachin was organized by the Kachin Freedom Organisation, the main political organization of the Kachin minority, on Sunday night. People were enjoying the musical performance that was taking place as part of the festival. Then the Myanmar army engaged in air strikes.
More than 60 people, including singers and musicians, were killed, members of the ethnic group organization and rescue workers said on Monday. It was the biggest airstrike since the military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February last year. It is also said to be the single airstrike by the military that resulted in the largest number of casualties.
The government and the military have not commented on the attack and its aftermath, except for media outlets sympathetic to the Kachin people who have released video footage of the aftermath of the incident. The attack comes three days before Southeast Asian foreign ministers are due to hold a special meeting in Indonesia to discuss escalating violence in Myanmar.