Myanmar Paraglider Bombing at Buddhist Festival Leaves 24 Dead

At least 24 people were killed and 47 others injured when Myanmar’s military launched an airstrike using motorised paragliders on a peaceful gathering in the Sagaing region. The attack took place on Monday evening as residents of Chaung U township came together to celebrate the Thadingyut full moon festival and protest against the junta’s rule, according to the government-in-exile’s spokesperson who spoke to BBC Burmese.

Witnesses said the crowd of about 100 people had assembled for a candlelight vigil calling for the release of political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and opposing the regime’s conscription plans. Local resistance fighters from the People’s Defence Force (PDF) said they had received warnings about possible air raids but could not disperse the crowd before bombs were dropped. The explosions killed civilians instantly, leaving many others severely wounded. Survivors described horrific scenes, with some saying the blasts tore through families gathered for the festival.

The Sagaing region has been one of the main flashpoints in Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict since the 2021 military coup. Over the past four years, thousands have been killed and millions displaced as the junta battles ethnic militias and pro-democracy groups. Observers say the military has recently regained ground through intensified air campaigns, supported by drones and aircraft supplied by China and Russia. Analysts believe Beijing’s pressure on rebel groups to halt weapon supplies has further weakened the opposition’s hold on several areas.

Human rights organisations condemned Monday’s attack, calling it another example of indiscriminate violence by Myanmar’s armed forces. Amnesty International said the use of motorised paragliders for bombing civilian areas was part of a growing and “deeply disturbing trend.” The group urged regional body ASEAN to take stronger measures against the junta and protect civilians caught in the conflict.

Despite ongoing international sanctions, Myanmar’s military continues to receive tactical support from its allies, enabling it to sustain aerial operations. As the country prepares for a controversial national election in December—widely criticised as neither free nor fair—the violence underscores the continuing humanitarian crisis facing Myanmar’s population.