At least 33 bodies have been recovered from a devastating landslide at a jade mine in northern Burma (also known as Myanmar), according to a rescue official on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Hpakant, renowned as the world’s largest and most profitable jade mining region. The landslide resulted in earth and debris from multiple mines sliding around 1,000 feet down a cliff and into a nearby lake. Over 35 miners were caught in the disaster.
Rescuers have been diligently searching for survivors and have so far located 33 bodies in the muddy lake in Manna village, Hpakant. The recovery efforts involve about 150 rescuers equipped with five small boats. Tragically, it is feared that at least three people remain missing, adding to the already substantial human toll. The leader of the local rescue team, who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns of reprisal from the military-installed government, disclosed this information.
All of the victims were men, and their remains were covered with green plastic sheets and arranged in a row on the lake’s bank. Relatives came to collect the bodies for cremation. The local authorities have provided approximately $330 per victim as a contribution to cover funeral expenses.
Landslides are not uncommon in Hpakant’s jade mines, and they occur multiple times each year. In July 2020, a similar incident claimed the lives of 162 individuals in the same area, and in November 2015, 113 people perished in another tragic accident. These disasters primarily affect independent miners who inhabit the base of giant mounds of discarded earth created by mining companies. These mounds become increasingly unstable during the rainy season, leading to hazardous working and living conditions.
It is challenging to determine the exact number of missing individuals in these accidents since many of the scavengers are unregistered migrants from other regions. Local human rights activists assert that jade mining is a vital source of revenue for Burma’s military-installed government. Meanwhile, opponents of army rule advocate for sanctions and boycotts to reduce jade sales.
Ethnic Kachin rebel groups in Burma have long struggled for increased autonomy, and jade mining plays a significant role in their ongoing battle. Presently, the region is caught in an armed conflict between the Kachin Independence Army and the military, resulting in numerous civilians seeking refuge in displacement camps in nearby townships.
Overall, the hazardous conditions in Burma’s jade mining industry have once again claimed the lives of numerous workers, exacerbating the ongoing concerns surrounding the safety and regulation of the sector. The recovery efforts continue as rescue teams work tirelessly to locate any remaining missing individuals.
