Myanmar's military junta has claimed that the historic Gokteik railway bridge in Myanmar has been destroyed in a bomb attack. Indian media outlet NDTV reported on Sunday (August 24) that Myanmar authorities have accused anti-junta rebel groups of being behind the attack.

In a video message, junta government spokesman Zhao Min Tun said that members of the rebel groups Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and People's Defense Force (PDF) destroyed the railway bridge by detonating explosives. Photos and videos circulating on social media show that the bridge, which connects Mandalay and northern Shan State, has partially collapsed.

The Gokteik railway bridge, built in 1901 during British rule, was once one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Its height from the ground is about 102 meters (334 feet) and it is still considered the highest railway bridge in Myanmar.

Source: The Guardian, NDTV.