Myanmar airstrike death toll rises to 50

A military airstrike in Myanmar killed at least 50 people and injured 58 others on Monday, according to local aid workers. The attack targeted a bustling market in Kyauktaw town, Rakhine state, around noon local time. The initial death toll was reported at 30, but it has since risen to 50. A second aid worker confirmed the same figures, while emphasizing that the final fatality count may be higher due to bodies lost in subsequent fires.

The Arakan Army, an ethnic rebel group controlling the area, reported 49 fatalities with 58 wounded, 22 of whom are in critical condition. The victims were identified as innocent civilians, including market vendors, shoppers, and cargo loaders. The market and adjacent bridge, which had been thriving due to a river trade route to India, were destroyed in the bombardment.

Rakhine has been severely affected by the conflict, with many residents displaced and lacking access to basic necessities. The Arakan Army reportedly controls almost all of Rakhine, with the remaining urban centers under military control, which is accused of committing atrocities against civilians. The Myanmar military has not commented on the attack, and efforts to reach them for a statement have been unsuccessful.

The conflict in Myanmar has resulted in nearly half-a-million people displaced and over 100,000 deaths since the 2021 military coup.