Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) - A small explosion occurred on Tuesday at a port in western Rangoon’s Ahlone Township, according to an official at the Township fire brigade.

The official told Mizzima that the explosion occurred at the Asia World port on Tuesday evening, but said he did not have any details.

“We don’t know what happened but we heard there was an explosion in the port at about 4 p.m. But firefighters from our station did not go to the site. We were only informed after everything settled down. I don’t know any details of it,” the official said.

An official at the Asia World port, however, denied the information, saying, “We don’t know anything in detail. I have not heard anything like that here.”

But contrary to the official’s statement, an official at the Myanmar Industrial Port, located nearby the Asia World port, said, “We heard that there was an explosion at Asia World. But I don’t know any details.”

The Asia World terminal is owned by Steven Law, son of notorious drug lord Lo Hsing Han. The United States has imposed sanctions on both father and son, resulting in Asia World being banned from doing business with any American citizens.

Earlier in January, Rangoon police seized packets of heroin from a container loaded on a ship at the Asia World port.

Police reportedly seized 38 kilograms of heroin hidden inside teak logs in a ship set to sail for Singapore.