At the scene (Photo: AFP) Hanoi (VNA) – The death toll from a landslide at a jade mine in Hpakant township,Myanmar’s Kachin state has climbed to 113 as more bodies were recovered on July2, according to a statement by the country’s Information Ministry.
Caused by themonsoon rains, the accident occured at 8:00am (Myanmar time), with all victims being jade scavengers.
An over300-metre high cliff collapsed, burying those working at the jade mining site,a witness at the scene was quoted in the ministry’s statement as saying.
A local policeofficer said search and rescue efforts had been suspended due to heavy rains.
Deadly landslidesare frequent in Kachin, known as land of jade, especially in Hpakant miningregion.
Many localpeople make living by jade scavenging in the region and most of the landslidesare caused by partial collapse of tailings heaps and dams.
Prior to this,a major landslide, which took place in the region in 2015, left at least 116jade scavengers dead./.
Caused by themonsoon rains, the accident occured at 8:00am (Myanmar time), with all victims being jade scavengers.
An over300-metre high cliff collapsed, burying those working at the jade mining site,a witness at the scene was quoted in the ministry’s statement as saying.
A local policeofficer said search and rescue efforts had been suspended due to heavy rains.
Deadly landslidesare frequent in Kachin, known as land of jade, especially in Hpakant miningregion.
Many localpeople make living by jade scavenging in the region and most of the landslidesare caused by partial collapse of tailings heaps and dams.
Prior to this,a major landslide, which took place in the region in 2015, left at least 116jade scavengers dead./.
VNA
