The death toll from a Myanmar military air raid in northern Kachin state has risen to 80, according to reports.
According to international media, the number of casualties from the bombing of hundreds of people who had gathered to celebrate the founding of the Kachin Independence Organisation on Sunday night appeared to be the single-worst air attack since Myanmar’s military seized power in February 2021.
As many as 80 people were killed, and about 100 were injured, a spokesperson for the Kachin Artists Association told. Initial reports had counted 60 dead, but sources close to Kachin Independence Army officials said about 80 people were now known to have died, the spokesperson said.
He said military aircraft dropped four bombs on the celebration on Sunday evening, which was attended by between 300 and 500 people, including musicians and other performers.
Those killed also included Kachin military officers and soldiers, musicians, jade mining business owners, other civilians, and cooks working backstage, he added.
A Kachin singer and keyboard player were among the dead, said the spokesperson, who asked not to be identified because he feared punishment by the authorities.
