Narinjara News, 7 May 2025

Two teenagers, one of whom was a young woman, sustained serious injuries after stepping on a landmine while gathering firewood in Mrauk-U Township, Rakhine State on Wednesday morning.

The two individuals injured after stepping on a landmine are Ma Cherry Than, 18, and Maung Khant Kyaw Htay, 14, hailing from Thit Wa Pyin Village in Mrauk-U Township.

They were heading to Linmwe Taung Mountain, close to the village, to gather firewood when they triggered a landmine at approximately 7 am today, May 7.

Ma Cherry Than had her left leg amputated and sustained severe injuries to her right thigh and left arm, while Maung Khant Kyaw Htay also experienced a ruptured abdomen along with serious injuries.

The two individuals, who sustained severe injuries, are currently undergoing medical care.

Prior to the AA's takeover of Mrauk-U town, military council forces were positioned in the Thingyitdaw and Linmwe mountains and scattered numerous landmines. Residents in the area claim that the mines that detonated today were laid by troops from the military council.

On May 6, an older man was injured after stepping on a mine laid by the military council in Taungup Township.

The majority of Rakhine individuals have historically depended on the forests and mountains for their means of survival, leading to concerns about the dangers of mines in regions where military council forces were posted; however, locals report they are compelled to work as collectors of food and firewood to sustain themselves.

A survey by Narinjara News Agency reports that 13 civilians lost their lives and 53 were injured in Rakhine State from January to April due to blasts from unexploded ordnance during that period.