A mudslide at a jade mine in northern Myanmar has resulted in the disappearance of at least 30 individuals, BBC reports.
The incident occurred in the mountainous town of Hpakant in Kachin state, which hosts the world's largest and most profitable jade mines. Many of those unaccounted for are believed to be local miners who were engaged in mud excavation along the cliffs, often working and residing in abandoned mining pits.
This area is prone to deadly landslides during the monsoon season, which runs from May to October. In a similar event in July 2020, over 162 people died due to a landslide in the same region. Another accident in 2015 claimed the lives of more than 110 individuals.
Despite the suspension of formal mining activities due to the rainy season, independent scavengers seeking jade were caught in the recent disaster, which occurred around 3:30 PM local time on a Sunday. The relentless rain had dislodged massive piles of earth, each exceeding 150m (492ft) in height, remnants of mining excavations conducted earlier by companies. These torrents of mud and debris cascaded down the cliff, sweeping up miners in their path.
Survivors recounted being overwhelmed by a deluge of mud, rocks, and floodwater while engaged in jade prospecting. The landscape in this part of Myanmar bears the scars of numerous unregulated mines, drawing a large influx of migrant workers from various parts of the country who come in search of jade. A substantial portion of this jade eventually finds its way to China's market.
One rescue worker shared that approximately 34 people are missing, while eight have sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital on the day of the incident. The search and rescue operations persist, with some miners already returning to the scene, hoping to discover jade.
"We haven't found any deceased individuals yet," remarked the rescue worker, who preferred anonymity due to concerns about potential consequences from the military.
Jade mining serves as a significant revenue source for Myanmar's military government and also funds the Kachin Independence Army, an ethnic armed group. The region has witnessed ongoing conflicts between the military and Kachin insurgents over control of the area, given the immense value of its jade mines, estimated at around $30bn (£23.6bn) annually.
This contested region has experienced recurrent hostilities before and after the military coup in 2021, which resulted in the ousting of the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
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