Buddhist festival in Myanmar attacked by paraglider bomb
A Buddhist festival in Myanmar’s Sagaing region was attacked by the military junta on Monday, October 6, 2025, when a motorized paraglider dropped bombs on a crowd of festival attendees and protesters. The assault occurred in Chaung U township during the Thadingyut festival of lights, resulting in at least 24 deaths and dozens of injuries, with children, teenagers, educators, and political activists among the victims.
Details of the Attack
- The bombing happened at dusk as about 100 people gathered for a candlelit celebration and protest against military rule, election plans, and compulsory conscription.
- Two bombs were dropped from the paramotor, killing at least 24 people and injuring between 40 and 50 others.
- Witnesses and Myanmar’s government-in-exile confirmed the use of a paramotor in the attack; some bodies were badly damaged, making identification difficult.
- The festival coincided with the traditional Thadingyut celebration, marking Buddha’s descent from heaven, but the gathering also served as a peaceful protest against the military junta.
Broader Context
- Myanmar has faced civil conflict since the military coup in 2021, with tens of thousands dead and millions displaced.
- The Sagaing region, controlled largely by resistance forces, has been a frequent target of military airstrikes and bombing raids.
- Human rights groups have condemned the attack as part of a disturbing trend of escalating aerial assaults against civilians by the military junta.
The attack underscores growing concerns about the use of unconventional airstrikes, including paramotors, to target gatherings and protests in Myanmar’s civilian areas.
