Witnesses said a “motorized paraglider” was used to launch two explosives into the crowd gathered to commemorate a national holiday.
“This tragic incident, if confirmed, would add to a worrying pattern of indiscriminate attacks affecting civilians throughout the country,“UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Wednesday.
“The indiscriminate use of aerial munitions is unacceptable. All parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”
Sharp increase in airstrikes
Sagaing has been one of the regions hardest hit by the conflict that erupted following the February 2021 military coup, which led to the overthrow of the elected government and the arrest of key leaders, including President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.
The region also suffered severe damage in an earthquake earlier this year, exacerbating humanitarian needs.
According to the UN human rights office (OHCHR), Sagaing has recorded the highest number of airstrikes and civilian deaths in the entire country. Between March 28 and May 31, 2025 alone, more than 108 airstrikes were reported there, killing at least 89 people.
OHCHR said Myanmar’s military has increasingly relied on airpower, including new paramotor tactics capable of carrying 120mm mortar shells, to attack “civilian-inhabited and earthquake-affected areas” despite its announcement of temporary ceasefires in April and May to allow for rescue operations after the earthquake.
Deliberate attacks against civilians
The report, published in September, documented at least 6,764 civilian deaths and more than 29,000 political arrests since the coup. Nearly half of all verified civilian deaths between April 2024 and May 2025 were due to airstrikes, with Sagaing, Mandalay and Shan among the worst affected.
It also cited deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects, including markets, schools, homes, places of worship, and camps for displaced people.
“Atrocities such as extrajudicial executions, mutilations, and widespread destruction of property have been documented, along with the use of airstrikes with no discernible military objective. raising serious concerns about war crimes”said the OHCHR.