Myanmar Jade Mine mudslide engulfs homes, dozens feared dead

A devastating mudslide at a jade mine in Myanmar has engulfed homes, with dozens feared dead and rescue teams continuing to search through the debris.

A devastating mudslide at a jade mine in Myanmar has swept away homes, leaving dozens feared dead. The disaster struck early on Monday morning in Hpakant, Kachin state, when a 10-foot high embankment collapsed, engulfing around 70 properties.

Rescue teams have so far recovered 12 bodies, including three children aged between two and nine, but authorities fear that over 50 residents may have perished. The search for more victims is ongoing.

A rescue worker described the scene, explaining that the embankment could not withstand the pressure of the earth above it, causing it to burst open. "Now everywhere is covered in mud," the worker said. Many of the bodies found so far have been buried with only limbs visible, and teams are using ropes to recover victims trapped in submerged homes.

In the Sa Paut village, an area controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), efforts to recover bodies are being aided by excavators. However, the mud is reportedly up to 20 feet deep, making the search incredibly challenging.

This tragedy underscores the severe safety risks in Myanmar's jade mining industry, where poor oversight and unsafe working conditions are widespread. Global Witness estimates that nearly 400,000 people rely on jade scavenging under hazardous conditions, a situation exacerbated by the instability following the military coup in February 2021.

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