Historic Myanmar bridge destroyed in fighting

"A colonial-era bridge in Myanmar that was once the world's tallest railway trestle has been destroyed during fighting in the years-long conflict. A civil war has consumed Myanmar since a 2021 coup deposed the civilian government, with the military battling myriad pro-democracy guerrilla groups and ethnic armed organisations. Representatives from the ruling military junta and anti-coup armed groups have blamed each other for the destruction of the landmark Gokteik bridge on Sunday."

"In a video statement, junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun claimed rebel factions, including the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and people's defence forces groups had bombed and destroyed the bridge. A separate statement by the junta said the bridge had been exploded with mines. A TNLA spokesperson rejected this and accused the junta of bombing the bridge. [The] Myanmar army tried to bomb our bases ... this morning by using drones. They bombed our troops, but their bomb also hit Gokteik bridge,"

The Gokteik viaduct, a 300-metre-long bridge standing 102 metres above a gorge in northern Shan State, has been partly destroyed during fighting. The bridge opened in 1901 and was the tallest railway trestle in the world at that time. Junta and anti-coup armed groups blamed each other for the damage. The junta alleged rebel factions and people's defence forces bombed and used mines, while the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) denied responsibility and said junta bombing with drones hit the bridge. The viaduct is on the Mandalay-Lashio railway and attracts tourists.

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