Yangon, At least 16 people were killed and 48 others were injured in a warehouse explosion in Myanmar’s eastern state of Shan.

According to the Xinhua news agency, the explosion took place in Mongmao town in Wa Self-Administered Division, or “Special Region 2” of Shan state at around 1700 hrs local time Saturday.

The explosion rocked the warehouse where construction materials, including gas cylinders and explosives, were stored.

“We have some difficulties in providing medical services to such many injured people here. So, we sent them to the hospital in neighboring China for medical treatment,” a representative of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) Nyi Rang said.

UWSA is a military wing of the United Wa State Party, which is de facto controlling the unrecognised Wa State in eastern Myanmar.