By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

YANGON, Myanmar- On Thursday three bomb blasts rocked a holiday festival killing nine people in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city.  The attack was the deadliest of its kind in five years in the country.  In addition, the attack injured more than 60 people.

An official said the blasts occurred as festival goers gathered for a New Year water festival in the former capital.  The blast occurred around 3 p.m. near 20 pavilions erected for celebrations at the Kandawgyi Lake.  During this annual four-day festival, the people drench each other with water to usher in the Myanmar New Year on Saturday.  A British Embassy representative in Myanmar told the news agency Al Jazeera that it was not yet known what exactly caused the explosions.

The television station run by the state reported that the explosions were caused by bombs, but did not say who was responsible.  Television images showed pools of blood and scattered sandals left behind by frightened revelers.  The television station described the blasts as the work of “terrorists”.  No group or organization has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet.

While State television stated that the death toll is at eight, a hospital official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity maintained that nine people were killed.

Witnesses say that Yangon General Hospital, where most of the injured were taken, was a scene of chaos.  According to a hospital official none of the casualties included foreigners.

Although rare, bombings are not unknown in cities such as Myanmar, whose military ruler are fighting several insurgencies in remote regions.  This was the worst attack since May 2005 when a series of bombs exploded at two upscale supermarkets and at a convention center in Yangon, killing 19 people and injuring more than 160 others.

The government has previously blamed bomb blasts on exiled anti-government groups and insurgents including ethnic Karen rebels fighting for greater autonomy in eastern Myanmar.

Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962.  The country is slated to hold election later this year, but no date has been announced and the generals have been criticised for regulations that prevent Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader, from taking part.

For more information, please see:

Aljazeera.net- Deadly Blasts Hit Myanmar Festival-15 April 2010

CBSnews- Bombs Kill 9 At Myanmar New Year Water Festival– 15 April 2010

Wall Street Journal- Myanmar Festivities Marred By Blasts– 15 April 2010