At least 55 people have been killed and many others injured in a devastating explosion in a rebel-controlled area of Myanmar near the Chinese border, according to the BBC.

The explosion occurred in Kaung Tat village, located in Namkham Township of Shan State. Among the dead are 25 women and 30 men.

A massive plume of smoke was seen rising over the village shortly after the blast on Sunday (May 31).

The area is under the control of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group fighting against Myanmar’s military junta. The group said the explosion involved explosive materials used in mining and stone extraction operations.

In a statement, the TNLA said that many local villagers were killed and injured in the blast, and numerous homes were also damaged. However, it did not provide further details about the incident.

Ashik/M.