November 20, 2024
An airstrike carried out by Myanmar’s military junta targeted Sheng Guang Middle School, located within a Chinese Baptist Church in Ward 4 of Kutkai Township, northern Shan State. The attack, which occurred on the night of November 17, resulted in the deaths of three civilians, including two women and an infant, and left 16 others injured, according to local sources.
The airstrike involved a 500-pound bomb, dropped at 11:47 PM, directly hitting the school, which had been operating within the church premises. The victims include a one-year-old child, and among the injured are elderly individuals, a pregnant woman, and several children. Seven of the injured are reported to be in critical condition, including a six-year-old child who sustained severe injuries to the neck due to the explosion.
The bomb caused significant damage to Sheng Guang Middle School, including its classrooms and sports facilities. The nearby Chinese Baptist Church was also severely affected, with widespread destruction reported to residential homes in the vicinity.
This latest airstrike highlights the ongoing targeting of civilian infrastructure and populated areas by the military junta. The Kutkai area has seen frequent airstrikes in recent months as part of escalating conflict in northern Shan State.
