Amnesty International called for urgent protection of civilians in central Myanmar after a nighttime attack that reportedly killed more than 20 people, including children, after motorized paragliders dropped explosives on a crowd during the Thadingyut (Festival of Lights).

Witnesses in Chaung-U Township said the first blasts struck around 8 PM as residents held a candlelight vigil to protest captive detainees, oppose conscription, and denounce the upcoming election scheduled by military leaders. At least 17 people, among them a child under five, were reportedly killed in the initial strike, and dozens were badly injured. A second strike was reported around 11 PM.

People described the aircraft as “paramotors”–single-seat paragliders with small engines that make a harsh, chainsaw-like

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