Yangon: A series of seven small explosions
hit the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, on Thursday,
but no casualties were reported.
An official said five blasts went off at the Hlaing
Tharyar industrial zone in western Yangon and a separate blast
happened at another industrial zone in Shwepaukan on the
city's northern outskirts in the pre-dawn hours. The official
spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised
to speak to the press.
The seventh explosion occurred around 10 am today in the
Mingaladon Industrial Park, also in northern Yangon, he said.
The official said the blasts of small, handmade explosive
devices caused minor damage, but no injuries. There were no
immediate claims of responsibility, or suspects.
However, the timing of the blasts suggested they could be
linked to a political protest. Tomorrow is the second
anniversary of the start of massive but short-lived
pro-democracy protests in Yangon led by Buddhist monks and
quashed with force by the ruling military a few days later.
It is also the 21st anniversary of the seizure of power by the
military to quash an even bigger, earlier pro-democracy
movement.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 18:09