Three Men Die in a Single Day at Nsawn Stream on the China Border

Pajau Media

September 1, 2025

According to local sources, three men drowned in a single day at Nsawn stream, which forms part of the China-Myanmar border near Mansi Township in Bhamaw District, after an incident that occurred on August 25.

One of the men from Hpa Len village, located on the Chinese border, drowned while trying to escape Chinese border police during illegal cattle transport.

Reports say, “Nsawn stream is a border stream. While they were smuggling cattle, Chinese border police spotted them, forcing them to flee. Unable to swim across, they drowned. He wasn't alone; his companions were with him, and all ran for their lives,” said a local resident.

The incident happened around 10:30 pm on August 25, when cattle were being smuggled through Nsawn stream from Mansi to Hpa Len village. Upon being discovered by border police, the men attempted to escape by swimming across the stream, but failed and drowned.

One victim was U Naw Awng, aged 34, a father of three children living in the Man Win refugee camp. His body was found a day later on the 27th and given a funeral at Man Win refugee camp on the 29th.

Additionally, on the same day at 11 pm, another man involved in smuggling cattle drowned in Nsawn stream while trying to escape border police. This man was identified as Maung Zin Lat Awng, aged 18, whose body was found on the 29th.

On the afternoon of that same day, at around 3 pm, another Shan man drowned in Nsawn stream after his boat capsized while fishing.

Nsawn stream is a stream along the China-Myanmar border and serves as a route for smuggling cattle for sale. It also joins the Shweli River.

News – Htu seng