Incident Report: Landmine Explosion Halts Yangon-Mandalay Railway Service
Yangon (22 February 2024) On the evening of February 20, 2024, at approximately 9:30 PM, a devastating landmine explosion occurred along the Yangon-Mandalay railway line, disrupting vital transportation infrastructure in Myanmar. The blast, attributed to a terrorist group, targeted the stretch of track between Kyauktakher station and Pein Zalope station in Nyaunlaypin Township, Bago Division.
As a consequence of this deliberate act of sabotage, both passenger and cargo trains operating along the Yangon-Mandalay route were forced to halt at alternate stations, resulting in significant inconvenience for travelers and logistical disruptions for freight services. Despite these challenges, the dedicated staff of the railway department promptly responded by providing essential provisions, including food and water, to alleviate the discomfort experienced by stranded passengers during the enforced stoppages.
Upon thorough inspection by railway workers and technicians, it was determined that the explosion caused extensive damage to the infrastructure. Approximately 70 feet of railway tracks were severed, accompanied by the destruction of 36 sleepers and the creation of five sizable craters with a radius of approximately 5 feet each. The magnitude of the damage necessitated arduous repair efforts, which commenced at 11:00 AM on February 21, 2024, and persisted until the restoration of service at 3:00 PM on the same day.
Regrettably, this incident is part of a concerning trend, with a total of 130 landmine-related explosions recorded in proximity to railway tracks and surrounding areas, along with 47 incidents targeting railway bridges and 12 instances of arson targeting residential quarters of railway department personnel, spanning from February 1, 2021, to the present date.
The railway department remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of railway operations and will continue to work tirelessly to mitigate the impact of such malicious acts on the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
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