In a harrowing incident at the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, a drone attack targeted Rohingya families who were attempting to flee Myanmar, resulting in the loss of many innocent lives. Witnesses recounted the horrifying scene, which saw survivors struggling amidst piles of bodies to find their deceased and wounded loved ones.

According to several witnesses, activists, and a diplomat, the drone attacks occurred on Monday, as families gathered at the border, waiting to cross into Bangladesh. Tragically, the victims included a heavily pregnant woman and her 2-year-old daughter, making it the deadliest known assault on civilians in Rakhine state during the recent weeks of conflict between junta troops and rebels.

While three witnesses firmly blamed the Arakan Army for the attack, the group vehemently denied any involvement. The blame game escalated as both the militia and Myanmar's military pointed fingers at each other. Reuters, however, was unable to independently verify the exact number of casualties or ascertain responsibility for the attack.

Videos shared on social media depicted a heart-wrenching scene of lifeless bodies scattered across the muddy ground, alongside abandoned suitcases and backpacks. Survivors reported that more than 200 individuals lost their lives, corroborating the account of witnesses who claimed to have seen at least 70 bodies.

Reuters was able to confirm the location of the videos as just outside the coastal town of Maungdaw in Myanmar. However, the exact date of the footage could not be independently verified at the time.

Mohammed Eleyas, a 35-year-old witness who later sought refuge in a camp in Bangladesh, recalled the dreadful moment when drones started bombing the crowd. He expressed his horror at hearing the deafening sound of shelling multiple times. Eleyas recounted how he frantically sought shelter on the ground, only to discover his pregnant wife and 2-year-old daughter critically wounded. Tragically, they succumbed to their injuries, leaving him devastated and witnessing the loss of many other relatives.

Another survivor, Shamsuddin, 28, who now resides in a refugee camp in Bangladesh, shared his harrowing experience. He and his wife managed to survive the attack along with their newborn son. Shamsuddin described the aftermath, with lifeless bodies strewn around him and the agonizing cries of the injured piercing the air.

The international community has been left appalled by this horrific attack on vulnerable Rohingya refugees who were attempting to escape the relentless violence in Myanmar. Urgent efforts are underway to uncover the truth behind the attack, identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. The need for increased protection and support for displaced Rohingya populations has become even more critical in the face of such senseless violence.