At least 18 people, including children and students, were killed and 45 others were injured after the military junta in Myanmar dropped at least one bomb on a vigil protesting military rule, a human rights watchdog and the exiled former government confirmed via ABC News.
A candlelight vigil was being held during the Thadingyut full moon ceremony honoring a major Buddhist holiday in the Chaung-U Township of the Sagaing Region on Monday (October 6).
"The death toll may rise, as some people's bodies were so badly damaged by the bomb blast that they are difficult to recognize. Survivors are now being treated in local hospitals," said Amnesty International’s Myanmar Researcher Joe Freeman via ABC News.
The vigil was protesting the military junta, which took power over Myanmar during a coup in 2021. Organizers for the vigil called on the "release of arbitrarily detained prisoners, to oppose military conscription and to condemn a junta-organized election set for December," a statement released by Amnesty on Tuesday (October 7) reads.
"Among the dead and injured are children, students and people in their fifties. Activists involved in organizing the event were also said to be among the casualties," Freeman said.
The initial attack took place at around 8:00 p.m. local time and was followed by another at around 11:00 p.m., which was carried out by motorized paragliders. Resistance groups against the junta are reported to have an active presence within the region.
"There were no clashes or fighting in the village where this took place," Amnesty said via ABC News. "This was an attack on civilians that should be investigated as a war crime, one among many occurring in Myanmar on a routine basis.
The military junta has not issued a public statement regarding the bombing incident.