At least one person has died and 70 are missing after a landslide occurred at a jade mining site in northern Myanmar
Dozens of people are feared missing after a landslide early on Wednesday at a jade mine in northern Myanmar, according to local media.
Rescue operations are currently underway, with most of the victims believed to be illegal jade miners. The landslide occurred in the Hpakant area of Kachin state at around 04:00 local time on Wednesday.
Myanmar is the world’s biggest source of jade but its mines have seen numerous accidents over the years.
Jade mining is banned in Hpakant, but locals often defy regulations, driven by lack of employment and impoverished conditions that have worsened from the covid pandemic.
Several days ago, at least 10 unskilled miners went missing in a landslide at a jade block in Hpakant.
Myanmar’s jade trade is reported to be worth more than $30bn (£24bn) a year, with Hpakant being the site of the world’s biggest jade mine.
