KAREN STATE – Junta artillery landed and exploded on two vehicles of civilians fleeing the war in Myawaddy on Saturday (April 20) and it resulted in many casualties, according to volunteers assisting the war refugees.
Intense fighting took place near the No. 2 Bridge on Saturday morning and local people had to flee the area in motorcycles and cars. At that time, the junta council carried out air strikes, hitting two cars of the fleeing civilians. As a result, there were casualties among the civilians on board the cars including children and it is said that there are now at least ten patients sent to Thailand.
“They bombed from the air nonstop from morning till night. There are many civilian casualties. It is now impossible to enter some places (due to the junta attacks). Now we can only rescue those who managed to escape. We cannot enter the villages. Two civilian vehicles were hit. There were civilians killed by the gunfire from (junta) helicopters. We still cannot compile a casualty list. We are continuously transporting patients to Thailand in ambulances. Currently Ward No. 2 is on fire as a result of the bombing. The junta council is bombing the area near Letkhat Mountain and Myawaddy,” explained a military source from Myawaddy.
At present, nearly 3,000 people from Myanmar had fled into Thailand and although they have been received by the Thailand military and authorities, it is said that many more are crossing the Thaungyin (Moei) River into Thailand.
“The Thai military is not allowing people to cross the Thaungyin River in some places resulting in many refugees stranded on the river bank. They haven’t had a meal yet as they have been fleeing the whole day. The situation calls for the distribution of food and water in addition to rescue operations,” said a social volunteer helping the refugees.