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The bodies are said to have been found in this and other burned-out cars on Christmas Eve
Photo: HANDOUT / AFP
More than 30 people were killed in a military attack in Kayah state, Myanmar, on Christmas Eve.
The human rights organization "Save the Children" has now confirmed that two NGO employees are among the victims.
So far, they have been considered missing.
The men, aged 28 and 32, were on their way back to their office after a humanitarian mission, according to the organization.
“This senseless attack is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
We are shocked by the violence against the civilian population and our employees, who as committed humanitarian workers support millions of children in need across Myanmar, ”said Inger Ashin, CEO of“ Save the Children ”.
Women and children among the victims
The UN demands an investigation into the incident.
UN Vice Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths said he was "appalled" at the credible reports of an attack on civilians in Kayah state.
"I condemn this serious incident and all attacks on civilians across the country." Griffiths called on the Myanmar authorities to "immediately initiate a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident."
The bodies were found in three burned-out vehicles in the Hpruso community.
Photos of the wrecks were posted on online networks on Saturday.
The Myanmar Witness Observatory said 35 people, including children and women, were "burned and killed by the military on December 24th."
A rebel representative also accused the army of killing the people.
A junta spokesman, Zaw Min Tun, said clashes broke out in Hpruso on Friday after soldiers tried to stop seven "suspicious" cars.
Several people were killed, the spokesman said without giving details.
After a brief phase of democratization in Myanmar, the military came back to power in a coup in February.
Protests have raged across the country since then, killing more than 1,300 people, including children, and arresting more than 10,000.
Among those arrested is Aung San Suu Kyi, the disempowered head of government.
More than 20 rebel groups are fighting the military in the country.
muk / dpa