Myanmar bomb blast kills 10: government official

Nine orphaned students and a child were killed and 23 people,including 15 children injured.

A bomb blast in the capital of Myanmar’s northern Kachin state has killed 10 people,including two women,a government official in the military-dominated country said today.

Another 23 people,including some 15 children,were injured in the explosion Sunday evening in the town of Myitkyina,the official,who did not wish to be named,told AFP.

The blast took place late evening on Sunday in the city of Myitkyinar and caused a blaze at three houses. Those killed included nine orphaned students and a child,local residents told Reuters.

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A study group was taking place at the time of the bombing,that was why the number of casualties was high,said a resident,requesting anonymity.

It was not immediately known why the orphan homes were targeted,or who was behind the bombing.

Monday’s official newspapers did not report the incident,but said a bomb went off and another was defused in Myitkyinar on Saturday,and there were no injuries.

Kachin state is one of Myanmar’s most dangerous regions,plagued by decades of conflict between ethnic separatists and government troops.