Burma’s junta-run state media today blamed ethnic insurgents for an explosion that killed two people and wounded another 11 when their bus hit a mine in the country’s east.

The blast took place last Sunday in Karen state, around 200 kilometres from economic hub Rangoon, where an ethnic rebel group has been fighting the junta for more than five decades.

“The incident occurred when the bus… hit the mine planted by Kayin [Karen] insurgents,” the English-language New Light of Myanmar reported.

“Officials concerned are providing assistance for the victims,” it added.

It is the third time since December that the junta has blamed the Karen National Union (KNU) for a blast in the eastern state.