Myanmar army airstrikes on a ruby mine have killed 13 people in the area of Mogok town, occupied by a rebel group, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA, citing an eyewitness and a spokesman for the armed opposition.
A resident, who did not want to give his name for security reasons, said that the strikes were carried out at around 8:15 am and killed seven people on the spot, while six wounded people died of their wounds.
According to the eyewitness, among the dead was a Buddhist monk, as well as a father and son who were traveling on a motorcycle.
"A passerby was also hit car", the witness added, indicating that seven people who were in it were injured.
A spokesman for the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, which controls the region, confirmed the death toll but said there were 14 injured.
"There were many people on the street, that's why there were many dead", explained spokesman Lwey Yai Oo.
There was no comment from the junta so far.
Myanmar's civil war has been raging since the military junta took power in 2021, with the armed pro-democracy opposition uniting with former ethnic armed groups. A joint offensive launched in late 2023 allowed them to seize large areas, including the city of Mogok, a famous ruby trading center.
Myanmar is rich in precious stones and other rare minerals, which armed groups are fighting for control. They are mainly sold to neighboring China to finance the war, AFP notes.