At least 55 people have been killed and more than 70 injured in a massive explosion in a village controlled by rebels in Myanmar, according to local media reports.The explosion happened in a warehouse containing explosives, damaging approximately 100 homes in the village of Kaungtup in Shan state near the Chinese border.The warehouse was owned by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) – one of several ethnic rebel groups which is fighting the military junta – and had been storing explosives for use in mining and stone quarrying operations.The TNLA said it expresses “deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, were injured, and suffered damage as a result of the explosion”.The incident took place in an area situated about 3 kilometers (2 miles) south of the Chinese border (Palaung Land via AP)It said the “accidental ⁠explosion” took place at noon local time (0530 GMT) on Sunday and ​was being investigated. The TNLA said ‌those found responsible would be ⁠held accountable, and that relief, healthcare and ⁠rehabilitation for the families affected by the blast would be ‌provided as ​soon as possible. Videos from the scene showed a huge cloud of smoke along with a fireball rising above the sky. The explosion left behind dozens of shattered buildings, burned trees and a huge pile of rubble.Many residents initially assumed the blast must have been the result of an airstrike. Shan state is one of many parts of the country embroiled in fighting since a 2021 military coup overthrew the democratically-elected government and thrust Myanmar into civil war. "People were crying, calling out for their parents," a resident who was injured and whose home was destroyed in the blast wrote on social media. "It felt as if the world had come to an end."Rescuers and local residents carrying out search operations in the aftermath of an explosion in Kaungtup village in Namhkam township in Shan state, Myanmar on Sunday (Local Library)She asked why the facility containing a huge amount of explosives was operating so close to residential areas and demanded authorities to provide a detailed explanation.Another resident said he was saved by “sheer luck” as he was sitting in a part of the house that got spared the worst of the blast."I was sitting in my bedroom, eating noodles and looking at my phone. If I had been eating in the kitchen, I probably would not be alive today."Myanmar media outlets, including Shan state’s online Shwe Phee Myay news agency, reported death tolls ranging from 50 to 55. A rescuer who spoke on the condition of anonymity told the Associated Press that about 46 bodies, including six children, had been recovered by Sunday evening and taken for cremation.Rescuers and local residents carrying out search operations in the aftermath of an explosion in Kaungtup village in Namhkam township in Shan state, (AP)The TNLA is the armed wing of the Palaung Self Liberation Front and is one of three ethnic armed groups that make up the Three Brotherhood Alliance.The group has been in control of the Namhkam area since the alliance and its allies launched a major offensive against the military in northeastern Myanmar in late 2023. The alliance members and other ethnic armed groups have long fought for increased autonomy.