Airstrike on Buddhist Monastery in Mayanmar kills 23

At least 23 civilians, including children, were killed and more than 30 others injured in a military airstrike on a Buddhist monastery in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region, local sources confirmed.

The attack took place early Friday (July 10) in the village of Lin Ta Lu, where over 150 people had taken shelter to escape ongoing clashes, reports Hindustan Times.

According to reports, a military aircraft dropped bombs on a monastery building around 1:00 AM. Ten of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

A local rebel group reported that four children were among the dead. Meanwhile, the Democratic Voice of Burma has warned that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.

Myanmar’s ruling military junta has yet to release an official statement regarding the airstrike.

Sagaing has been a stronghold of resistance against the military regime, which seized power in a coup in 2021. The region has seen some of the fiercest clashes between junta forces and opposition groups in recent months.