Yangon, March 24 (IANS) As many as 16 people were killed and 48 others injured in a warehouse explosion in Myanmar on Sunday, an official said.

Nyi Rang, External Relation Officer of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Lashio, said: "The explosion took place in Mongmao town in the Wa Self-Administered Division, or 'Special Region 2' of Shan state on Saturday evening.

"We had difficulties in providing medical services to so many injured people here. We sent them to the hospital in neighbouring China for medical treatment," Nyi Rang told the Xinhua news agency.

The explosion rocked the warehouse where construction materials, including gas cylinders and explosives, were stored.

--IANS rs/pcj