Fatal car accident in Ann kills 4 including a Rakhine student, injures 2 others

Fatal

Four individuals, including a Rakhine university student who was returning to Rakhine State from Yangon to avoid joining military services, were killed in a car accident that took place at the Ann mountain range. Two others were also injured.

They were travelling by a truck from Yangon and it overturned on the mountain range.

The victims include 21-year-old Ko Win Min Zaw, a law student at Yangon University from Kulabar village under Kyaukphyu township.

Others hail from Ramree, Taungup and Ann townships. All the  victims were in their twenties and they were either studying or working in Yangon.

The injured individuals include the driver who is a Bamar from Okeshitpin village under Pyay township and a Rakhine individual from Ramree locality.

A relative of the victims informed Narinjara News that the truck was carrying six young men. As it reached the Ann mountain range at 5 pm on 30 March the accident took place after a tyre was punctured.

"My brother was working in a factory in Shwe Pyi Thar while attending the university. He returned to Kyaukphyu because he was worried about his name being listed for military service," said a resident.

The families were deeply saddened by the tragedy.

"Living in Yangon became  inconvenient for them. If one goes by plane he may be arrested by the soldiers after arriving at the airport. The road is also closed. So my brother took the way to return back and faced the accident. It's so sad," he added.

Two of the dead individuals were cremated by their relatives in the villages under Kyaukphyu  and Ramree township on 2 April. The other two victims were buried near Ann, said the local residents.

Since the conscription law was enacted in February by the junta, the Rakhine youths aged 18 and above who travelled between Yangon and Rakhine localities faced arbitrary arrests at the airports and bus stations. As a result, many Rakhine youths residing in mainland areas start returning with various difficult ways.