Pakistan, June 1 -- At least 55 people, including six children, were killed and dozens more injured after an accidental explosion involving mining explosives devastated a village in Myanmar northern Shan State, according to local rebel authorities.

Read More: Rohingya lives and limbs shattered by mines at Myanmar frontier

The blast occurred on Sunday afternoon in Kaung Tat village, located in Namkham Township, an area controlled by the Palaung Self Liberation Front/Ta'ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA). The armed group said the explosion was triggered when soft gunpowder stored for mining operations accidentally detonated around 12:30 p.m. local time.

Rescue workers described the destruction as catastrophic, with much of the vill...