At least 285 deaths were reported to have been related to this year’s Thingyan festivities between April 13 and 17, up from 272 last year, according to Myanmar state media. Reported injuries dropped from 1,086 last year to 1,073 this year, while crimes rose from 967 to 1,200.
On the final day of the festival alone, there were 61 reported crimes, including one murder, 13 injuries from five car accidents, and 29 injuries from physical violence, among others.
Yangon Region had the highest number of reported crimes (223) and deaths (44), while Sagaing Region had the highest number of injuries (194).
These numbers are much higher than those released by police, who reported 109 crimes and 26 deaths during Thingyan across the country. The discrepancy is thought to be the result failures to report incidents to police.
There were several such discrepancies. Police in Mandalay reported two murders, two drownings, and two deaths from traffic accidents. Mandalay General Hospital, however, reported 14 deaths, including eight unidentified bodies. Government data put the total number of deaths in Mandalay Region at 36.
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