10 April 2026 — A fishing trip turned into tragedy on Thursday when two Chin youths drowned in the Myittha River near Taung Kone Ward, Gangaw township of Magway Region.
The victims, a young man and a young woman, were part of a group of friends fishing and bathing in the river when the accident occurred.
The male victim has been identified as 17-year-old Phua Thein Thang. Local authorities and residents launched a search shortly after the incident, recovering his body from the riverbank later that day. The identity and age of the female victim have not yet been confirmed by officials.
Both victims were originally from Siatlai village in the Zotung region of Matupi township, Chin State. Like many families from the conflict-affected Zotung area, they had recently relocated to Kyaw Htike Ward in Gangaw township seeking safety and stability.
A memorial service for Phua Thein Thang is currently being held at the Karani Baptist Church. This incident underscores the growing concerns regarding water safety in the region during the peak of the summer season, as river levels fluctuate and local youths frequently gather at the Myittha River for recreation. – Reporting by Daniel
