A humanitarian official of the Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC) said that the Myanmar army is believed to be trying to destroy the bodies of nearly 40 people who were burned to death near Mo So village in Phruso township, Karenni or Kayah State.

He said that the Myanmar army was trying to station troops near Moso village where the massacre took place, and there were tensions with KA and KNDF troops.

Both armed forces are on standby, and if the Karenni troops move forward, the junta’s force will fire with heavy weapons and small arms.

Because of this, the massacre site where the bodies lie could not be reached for two days, up until the evening of December 26).

"I think they have noticed that the bodies will be known to the international community. I assume they made an attempt to destroy the bodies because the incident happened like this after the commanders of the junta had committed the crime by their order or on their own initiative,” said a humanitarian official.

So far, at least 37 people have been confirmed dead. These are said to include two missing Save the Children employees, other civilians and the owner of a gas station in Loikaw.

“None of the detainees were released. The news that all were burned was confirmed. That is why they all are likely to have died,” said the KSCC's humanitarian officer.

Based on available data, the dead may include 10 children under the age of 18.

A picture is emerging of how the massacre played out on 24 December. Some 40 innocent people, including women and children, were captured by the Light Infantry Divisions (LID -108) under the Brigade (66th) of the Myanmar army, which launched an offensive near Mo So village in the western part of Phruso township in Kayah State. The victims are said to have their hands tied behind their backs, placed in the cars, and then the vehicles were set alight and they were burned to death.