YANGON: Three more monks and a man succumbed to injuries from a traffic accident that occurred on the Yangon-Mawlamyine road near Naung Bo village in Thaton Township Saturday (April 18) evening, bringing the total fatalities to eight monks, a nun and four laymen, according to social relief organisations.
The incident occurred at around 4pm near the Yangon-Mawlamyine Road, near the Yutthaw Tea Shop in Naung Bo Village, Thaton Township, between mileposts (141/2) and (141/3).
The Shwe La Yaung Mandalar passenger van, driven by U Awan Htut from Thaton towards Bilin, overtook a vehicle in front and crossed into the other lane.
The vehicle, driven by U Kyaw Min Naing from Bilin towards Thaton, collided head-on with a Mazda Bomgo vehicle carrying 13 monks, a monk and six male passengers, causing both vehicles to fall to the side of the road.
As a result of the accident, five monks, one nun, and three men died on the spot, while seven monks and three men were injured and were taken to Thaton District Hospital by ambulances from local social assistance and rescue groups for medical treatment.
Among those who were injured while receiving medical treatment, two more monks died at around 6pm, and one more man died. Another monk died at around 11pm.
A total of eight monks, one nun, and four men died, according to social assistance and relief organisations.
The victims of the accident were from the Ko Aung Myint Betel Shop on the main road in Mawlamyine.
They had been practicing as monks at the monastery in Pao Pyaw village, Thaton Township, since before the Thingyan festival, and the accident occurred on their way back from a pilgrimage to Kyaik Htee Roe, according to family members and people close to them.
The police said that none of the (30) passengers on the Shwe La Yaung Mandalar passenger bus were injured in the accident, and the driver, U A Wan Htut, fled the scene.
The victims of the accident were taken to Thaton District General Hospital and Thein Seik District Hospital by ambulances from the Myanmar Fire Rescue Team, Agyinthawweyet Social Assistance Association, Piti Heart Social Assistance Association, White Heart Social Assistance Association, Mettashin Social Assistance Association, and Sankara Social Assistance Association, and search and rescue operations were carried out. - Eleven Media/ANN
