YANGON: At least 25 people were killed, and 14 are still missing in a tragic landslide at an unregulated jade mine in Myanmar’s remote region, emergency workers leading the rescue operation said. The disaster occurred outside the northern Kachin’s Hpakant township amid ongoing heavy rain and floods that have battered Myanmar in recent days.
Jade mining in Myanmar is a highly profitable industry, but its unregulated nature has led to frequent worker fatalities. This latest tragedy echoes a devastating 2020 landslide in the same area that resulted in over 170 deaths.
Rescue workers, who have been tirelessly combing through mud and debris, discovered 25 bodies on Tuesday, while the search for the missing individuals is set to continue into Wednesday.
The disaster was caused by a massive collapse of earth, estimated to be between 150 to 180 meters (500 to 600 feet) high, which had been destabilized by heavy rainfall. The region’s jade mining operations were suspended during the rainy season, yet local residents, hopeful of uncovering valuable gems in the mud, found themselves caught in the landslide.
Myanmar’s Lucrative Jade Industry
Jade, a highly sought-after gem in neighboring China, has fueled Myanmar’s lucrative jade industry, which relies on low-paid migrant workers for extraction.
The natural resources in northern Myanmar, including jade, timber, gold, and amber, have historically contributed to the financing of a decades-long civil war between ethnic Kachin insurgents and the military. Calls for reforms and improved standards within the industry have been ongoing from environmental and rights groups. However, hopes for such changes were further dashed following a 2021 military coup, which, according to international watchdogs, undermined prospects for progress.
