Bomb blast in Mae Sot, 13 injured

Mizzima News
February 22, 2008

At least thirteen Burmese nationals were seriously injured when a bomb exploded this morning in the Thai-Burmese border town of Mae Sot, where thousands of Burmese migrants live.

The explosion took place at about 8:35 a.m. (local time) near a dustbin on the outskirts of town, opposite Myawaddy in Burma.

Mizzima correspondent Aung tin, who visited the site, said, "The explosion took place about five minutes after truck no. 3 came to dispose of waste. There were about 30 people at the dustbin. The explosion was quite strong, some received injuries to the eyes and face."

Among those seriously injured are: Zaw Oo, age 31; Khin Thanda Oo, age 16; and Daw Nweh, age 50.

Others sustaining wounds from the blast include: Zaw Min Tun, age 25; Daw Mee, Age 50; Saw Htwe, age 20; Aung Moe, age 8; Phoe Da, age 30, who was hit in the eye; Cho Pyone, age 28; Than Ngwe, age 45; Chit The, age 10; Ko Win, age 39; and a man of age 60.

All the victims were rushed to Mae Sot hospital's emergency unit.

The dustbin, which covers at least four acres of land, is used for dumping waste from Mae Sot. Burmese migrant families living near the dustbin make a living by collecting plastic and other useful material, which is then resold.

Regularly, from 12 midnight to 8 in the morning, trucks arrive to dump waste collected from town.

At least 300 Burmese nationals, mainly from the cities of Rangoon, Pegu, and Moulmein, reportedly reside around the dustbin.

On February 14, Karen rebel leader Pado Mahn Sha was assassinated at his residence in Mae Sot.