Mine event in Ayerarwaddy, Set Set Yo area, Myanmar on Tue 18th August 2026

A Rakhine man and woman died after stepping on a landmine near Set Set Yo Village in Lay Myat Nar Township, Hinthada District, Ayeyarwady Division, on the evening of August 18, according to local sources.

The latest casualties bring the total number of Rakhine internally displaced persons (IDPs) killed by landmine explosions in Ayeyarwady Division to three within less than a month.

The victims of the recent blast were identified as U Kyauk and Daw Thein Myint, both in their 50s. Originally from Gwa Township in Arakan State, the pair had been living in Lay Myat Nar Township for about a year after fleeing conflict.

"There are many Rakhine IDPs in Set Set Yo Village, mostly from Gwa, Thandwe, and Taungup townships," a local volunteer said. "Many rely on the nearby mountains and forests to fish and forage for vegetables. These two victims took a risk by entering an area where the military used to camp, and they were killed when they hit a mine."

The explosion occurred near Set Set Yo Village along the Pathein-Monywa Highway, an area where the military has historically operated.

"The military planted landmines in several forested areas near Set Set Yo and surrounding villages, including Chin Le, San Kone, Lay Khon Gyi, Lay Khon Lay, Wut Kone, Aung Zan Kwin, and Zee Pin Kwin," the volunteer added.

"Because this is still an active wartime environment, no one should venture into the mountains or forests to fish or forage right now," he added.

Villagers noted that the terrain surrounding Set Set Yo Village has been heavily impacted by military council troops setting up temporary camps, advancing, and retreating during clashes, leaving behind a high risk of unexploded landmines and anti-personnel mines.

Set Set Yo Village itself saw occasional military incursions and temporary encampments throughout 2026. Prior to that, in 2025, a fierce clash broke out between the military and the Arakan Army (AA) inside the village and its local monastery.

The tragic incident follows a similar explosion on July 24, 2026, when Daw Thay Thay, a 45-year-old IDP woman, was killed instantly after stepping on a mine while foraging for water spinach near Set Set Yo Village. Her 35-year-old sister, An Ngay Ma, sustained severe injuries in the same blast.