U.N. fears higher death toll in helicopter attack 

09 April 2019
U.N. fears higher death toll in helicopter attack 
(File) A military helicopter from the Myanmar Air Force fires at targets during 'Sin Phyu Shin' joint military exercises in Ayeyarwaddy delta region, Myanmar, 02 February 2018. Photo: EPA

The U.N. human rights office says it fears dozens of Rohingya Muslims were killed in a military helicopter attack last week, far higher than the initial death toll of seven, VOA reported.

Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, said, "We are now receiving reports that the number may be much higher than that. We have unconfirmed reports that the number may be as high as 30."

Villagers in Buthidaung township said a military helicopter allegedly attacked a group of Rohingya who were gathering bamboo last week.

Shamdasani said Myanmar's military has blamed the attack on "terrorists who were supporting the Arakan army." However, she said the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights rejects that accusation.