00:00Dozens have been killed in Myanmar after explosives stored by a rebel army detonated.
00:05That's according to witnesses and the militia that controls the village, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army.
00:11Video verified by Reuters showed the aftermath of the blast in the northeastern Kongtad village near the border with China.
00:18It took place around noon local time on Sunday, the rebel army said.
00:22According to witnesses, some victims were buried under a huge amount of rubble and debris,
00:27and that houses closest to the blast were entirely levelled.
00:31A spokesperson from the rebel army apologised on Monday for the accident.
00:35She said the group would, quote,
00:37dedicate efforts toward ongoing rescue operations and rehabilitation for the affected areas.
00:43The rebel army, which has a ceasefire in place with the Myanmar military,
00:47said the explosives were for use in mining operations.
00:50It did not say what had set them off,
00:53but the militia spokesperson pledged to prevent a repeat of the tragedy
00:57and to hold those responsible accountable.
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