Several blasts reported in Myanmar's commercial capital; factory set alight

[YANGON] A series of small blasts hit Myanmar's commercial capital Yangon and a Chinese-owned factory was set on fire.

Residents reported at least seven small explosions were heard in Yangon, including at government buildings, a military hospital and a shopping mall. There were no casualties and no claims of responsibility.

The US Embassy in Yangon said it had received reports of "handmade 'sound bombs,' or fireworks meant to create noise and cause minimal damage".

A fire broke out in the Chinese-owned JOC Garment Factory, the Fire Department said. There were no reports of casualties and no details on the extent of damage.

In another Yangon neighbourhood, activists set fire to the Chinese flag, according to pictures posted on Facebook.

China is viewed as being supportive of the military junta and last month arson attacks were made on 32 Chinese-invested factories in Yangon.

Details of the blasts and the fire were difficult to obtain because of the junta's curbs on broadband internet and mobile data services.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the junta, said in a statement on Wednesday the civil disobedience movement, or CDM, had halted the working of hospitals, schools, roads, offices and factories.

"Although protests are staged in neighbouring countries and the international community, they do not destroy businesses," he said. "CDM is an activity to destroy the country."

At least 13 people were killed on Wednesday as troops continued to open fire at coup protestors.

According to the Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) advocacy group, 581 people, including dozens of children, have been shot dead by troops and police in almost daily unrest since the coup, and security forces have arrested close to 3,500 people, with 2,750 still detained.

REUTERS