A major humanitarian crisis has emerged amid the intensifying conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. An airstrike by the army on a major hospital located in the area under the control of the Arakan Army caused massive destruction, in which 34 people have been confirmed dead. The dead include patients as well as medical workers.
Attack in Mrauk-U town
The Associated Press gave this information quoting independent media reports released on Thursday and a local rescue worker. This devastating attack was carried out late on Wednesday night in Mrauk-U town, which has been the center of conflict for a long time. The Arakan Army has been continuously increasing its influence in the region in recent months, due to which clashes between the army and rebel groups have intensified. The General Hospital in the same area was targeted, which was operating under the administration of the Arakan Army. About 80 people were injured in this attack, out of which the condition of many is said to be critical.
Although Myanmar’s military leadership has not yet publicly confirmed any operation in the area, a senior local rescue official told the AP that the strike was carried out by a jet fighter plane. According to him, two bombs were dropped from the plane at exactly 9:13 pm. One of these bombs fell directly in the recovery ward of the hospital, while the other exploded near the main building. Both the explosions were so powerful that a large part of the hospital structure collapsed completely.
Bodies of 17 men and 17 women recovered
Rescue workers reached the spot early Thursday and started relief work. According to him, bodies of 17 men and 17 women have been recovered. The blasts not only reduced the hospital to rubble, but also caused serious damage to taxis, motorcycles and other vehicles parked nearby.
Pictures and videos shared by local online media platforms showed the hospital complex in complete ruins. The collapsed walls, broken roofs and medical equipment scattered here and there make clear the horror of this attack.
This hospital was the main health center in the Mrauk-U region and many hospitals in Rakhine State were already closed due to the civil war. Services were partially restored by doctors and health workers recently, but the airstrike has again dealt a serious blow to that effort. This incident has raised new concerns about the future of health facilities and the safety of citizens in the area.
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