15-8-2023 (YANGON) Rescue teams in Hpakant, Kachin state, Myanmar, made a grim discovery on Tuesday (Aug 15) as they found 22 bodies in the aftermath of a devastating landslide near a jade mine. According to Tar Lin Maung, a local journalist, 42 people were reported missing, many of whom were scavengers searching for small fragments of jade.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday when a colossal mound of excavated earth and debris gave way, dragging unsuspecting individuals into a nearby lake. The affected area witnessed a massive joint effort involving over 100 people, including rescue workers and volunteers, who tirelessly searched for victims. Boats patrolled the waters while onlookers gathered on cliffs, anxiously observing the rescue operation.
The rescue process posed significant challenges due to incessant rainfall, rendering the ground soft and treacherous. One rescuer, choosing to remain anonymous for safety reasons, acknowledged the risk involved in the operation, stating that the saturated ground was making their task increasingly difficult.
Hpakant, renowned for its abundant jade reserves, has a distressing history of mining disasters. In 2020, the region experienced one of Asia’s deadliest mining accidents, claiming the lives of at least 170 scavengers. The lucrative jade industry plays a crucial role in Myanmar’s economy, with the country producing approximately 90% of the world’s jade. China stands as a major buyer, further fueling the industry’s worth, which amounts to billions of dollars annually for Myanmar’s military rulers and their business associates, as activists assert.
