The Yangon-Mandalay railway line experienced delays after an explosive device was detonated between Tawwi and Painzalok stations, according to reports.

The incident occurred at around 11:40 PM on December 13, near milepost 99/6-7 in Nyaunglebin Township, Bago Region, between Tawwi and Painzalok stations. An explosive device planted by unidentified attackers damaged the railway track, forcing authorities to temporarily close the section between the two stations at 6:20 AM the next day.

Local authorities and security forces inspected the scene, revealing that the explosion caused two railway tracks, each approximately 1.5 feet in length, to break and created a 6-foot crater beneath the tracks.

Myanmar Railways personnel conducted repairs to reopen the section. Temporary single-track operations began at 6:30 AM, allowing trains to pass through, while full repairs commenced at 9:40 AM. By 2:30 PM, the damaged section of the railway was restored, and normal operations resumed.

The explosion caused delays to several trains on the Yangon-Mandalay line. Freight train No. 923-A arrived at Nyaunglebin station at 6:15 AM, while train No. 993 reached Pyuntanza station at 6:20 AM, and train No. 923-B arrived at Pyuntanza station at 7:15 AM. All were temporarily halted.

Passenger trains also faced delays. The Mandalay-Yangon express train reached Penwekone station at 7:58 AM and departed at 10:40 AM, resulting in a delay of 2 hours and 47 minutes. The No. 11 passenger express train reached Pyuntanza station at 8:23 AM and departed at 10:25 AM, with a delay of 2 hours. The No. 2 express mail train reached Daik-U station at 9:45 AM and departed at 10:38 AM, experiencing a delay of 48 minutes.

Since February 2021, attackers have reportedly carried out 79 incidents of railway bombings or sabotage, 174 attacks on railway bridges and tracks, and 16 arson attacks on station buildings and staff quarters across Myanmar’s railway network.