October 24, 2022
Nearly 50 people, including artists and civilians, were killed in an airstrike carried out by the military during a music concert in Hpakant, Kachin State, held to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), according to Kachin news sources.
The airstrike occurred at around 8:40 p.m. on October 23, when jets bombarded the venue of the concert, which was part of the celebrations for the KIO’s anniversary. At the time, artists and civilians were attending the event. Reports have emerged that prominent Kachin artists were among those killed, though details are still being confirmed.
“There was a singing event at Division 9 in Hpakant. Around 9 p.m. last night, the military bombed the area with jets. Over 50 people, including both artists and civilians, were killed or injured. The exact casualty figures are not yet clear, but we know over 50 were affected,” a local source reported.
The Kachin community confirmed that renowned Kachin singer Aurali Lahpai was among those killed in the airstrike.
