Myanmar airstrike kills 3-year-old child in Karen State near Thai border

MAE HONG SON – A 3-year-old child died while being transported by boat to Thailand for medical treatment after a Myanmar military airstrike hit a village in Karen State near the Thai border, a local official said.

Phongpipat Meebenyamat, chief of Mae Sam Laep Subdistrict Administrative Organisation in Mae Hong Son’s Sop Moei district, said at 01:00 on 25 October that Myanmar forces had carried out an airstrike on Mae Nue Tha village near the Salween River, opposite Mae Khong subdistrict in Mae Sariang district.

The attack injured two villagers, a father and his 3-year-old child. The father suffered a head injury, while the child was critically wounded and died during the boat journey to the Thai side of the river for medical treatment.

The evacuation was a humanitarian effort to bring the injured to safety, but the child could not be saved.

A security source said Thai authorities had been instructed to prepare for possible arrivals of people fleeing the fighting in Myanmar, in line with plans set by Thailand’s National Security Council.

No displaced people were found on the Thai side as of Monday morning, as those who had crossed the border reportedly returned after the situation calmed down.

The source warned that fighting in the neighbouring country could intensify, with Myanmar troops potentially launching further attacks and ethnic armed groups preparing to defend themselves.

The situation had not affected the Thai side of the border, but authorities were monitoring developments closely.