20 September 2024

 

At least 125 people were killed and around 200 others are trapped after a jade mine collapsed in Hpakant, northern Myanmar on Thursday, local media reported.

 

The incident happened at around 6:30 a.m. local time.

 

The miners were collecting stones when a “muddy wave” caused by heavy rain buried them, the fire service said in a Facebook post.

 

Deadly landslides are frequent in Kachin state, known as land of jade, especially in Hpakant mining region.

 

Many locals make a living by jade scavenging in the region and most of the landslides are caused by the partial collapse of tailings heaps and dams.