Deadly airstrike near market in Rakhine State – Myanmar Mechanism calls for information

 Geneva, 30 September – The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar is calling for information from anyone who witnessed or has direct knowledge of an airstrike near a market known as the “Indian Market” in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, which killed dozens of people.

The attack on 28 September 2026 reportedly killed at least 50 people and injured 58 others. Many of the victims are believed to be market traders, shoppers, people passing through the area and workers loading cargo. A substantial number of those affected were women and children, including a pregnant woman and her baby, who were both killed in the blast. The airstrike also caused significant damage to nearby infrastructure, including the Kissapanadi Bridge and several shops.

The Mechanism is investigating numerous allegations of serious international crimes committed during the ongoing armed conflict in Rakhine State. Reliable evidence indicates a significant increase in deliberate or indiscriminate aerial and artillery attacks against civilians since 2025. This includes attacks on schools, hospitals, markets and monasteries.

Airstrikes that are indiscriminate or deliberately target civilians may be war crimes or crimes against humanity. Attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as markets, can have severe consequences for civilians’ access to food and food security and may constitute war crimes, including the crime of starvation when used as a method of warfare, or crimes against humanity.  

The Mechanism is seeking relevant information about this attack including: 

• information about the victims, including casualties, injuries and related photographs and videos;

• information about the market, bridge and nearby buildings, including photographs, videos and other materials showing damage;

• information about the aircraft used, including the Air Force base from which it was deployed;

• information about the weapons used, including photographs and videos of the remnants of the weapons; and

• information about the Myanmar military personnel involved, including pilots and any other individuals who gave or carried out orders.

Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Mechanism on Signal +41 76 691 12 08 with disappearing messages enabled, or from a Proton Mail account at contact@myanmar-mechanism.org. Please note that this email address is secure only when the message is sent from a Proton Mail account, which is free to set up. The Mechanism urges people to prioritize their safety and to make contact only when it is safe to do so.

 

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM or Mechanism) was created by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2018 to collect and analyse evidence of the most serious international crimes and other violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011. It aims to facilitate justice and accountability by preserving and organizing this evidence and preparing analysis that can be used by authorities to prosecute individuals in national, regional and international courts. 

For more information, visit iimm.un.org or contact iimm@un.org.