Soldiers and rescue workers search for the bodies of miners killed in a landslide in Myanmar's Kachin state (Source :AFP) Nay Pyi Taw (VNA) – At least 90 people were killed in a huge landslide in a remote jade mining area in Myanmar’s northern state of Kachin , local officials said on November 22.
The incident was considered one of the country’s worst jade mining industry disasters.
According to local officials, the massive landslide occurred on the morning of November 21, burying about 80 households in Sankhatku village in Hpakant town.
Search and rescue teams found 79 dead bodies on November 21 and additional11 on November 22. The rescue operation is ongoing.
Myanmar is the source of virtually all of the world's finest jadeite, an almost translucent green stone that is prized above almost all other materials.
Landslides are a common hazard in the area, as people defy danger to carry out illegal mining expeditions.
Locals said at least five landsides had occurred in the town since the beginning of the year.-VNA
