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Site of the accident near Mandalay in Myanmar
Photo: Information Team of the State Administration Council / imago images / Xinhua
At least twelve people were killed in the crash of a military plane in Myanmar.
The accident occurred near the second largest city of Mandalay in the center of the country, said a spokesman for the fire department.
According to media reports, Buddhist monks are said to have been on board in addition to soldiers who wanted to participate in a religious ceremony.
The weather was very bad, they said.
The broadcaster Myawaddy TV, run by the military junta, reported that the plane was en route from the capital Naypyidaw to the city of Pyin U Lwin and crashed shortly before landing.
Photos with wreckage could be seen on social networks.
There have been nationwide protests against the junta since the military coup in early February and overthrowed Aung San Suu Kyi's government.
The army crushes any resistance with brutal severity.
According to estimates by the prisoners' aid organization AAPP, at least 858 people have been killed so far.
Almost 6,000 were arrested.
jpz / dpa / Reuters