Horror struck in central Myanmar when a paramotor paraglider rained bombs on a crowd celebrating the Thadingyut full moon festival in Chaung U township. At least 40 people died in the blast at Monday’s event, which also featured an anti-junta demonstration.

Festival Turns into Bloodbath

The festival was packed with hundreds of revelers when the deadly attack struck. An event organiser, speaking anonymously, said the committee tried to warn the crowd and about a third managed to escape before the bombs were dropped.

But moments later, a motor-powered paraglider swooped low and unleashed two bombs directly on the gathering. The chilling aftermath saw horrific injuries, with children “completely torn apart,” the organiser revealed. “We were still collecting body parts—limbs, flesh—scattered across the ground,” she added.

Witnesses Tell of Carnage and Chaos

A local witness described the terrifying scene. “I begged people not to run, but the paramotor dropped two bombs as they panicked,” he said.

One survivor recounted watching friends die before his eyes. “Two of my friends were killed just in front of me, and many more perished before my eyes.” He attended funerals for nine victims the following day.

Junta Silent as International Fury Grows

The military junta has yet to comment on the brazen attack. This atrocity marks a grim escalation in Myanmar’s ongoing conflict since the 2021 coup.

Amnesty International slammed the bombing as a “gruesome wake-up call,” demanding urgent civilian protection. Joe Freeman, Amnesty’s Myanmar researcher, said:

“The military is intensifying its brutal campaign against pockets of resistance, exploiting reduced international scrutiny to commit war crimes with impunity.”

Since the coup, thousands have died and millions displaced, despite recent military gains in key areas.