A group of 37 jade scavengers is currently unaccounted for following the collapse of an abandoned soil dump in the Mana old jade mining area located within Hpakant Township, situated in Kachin State. Despite fervent efforts to conduct rescue operations in the aftermath of the landslide, the mission is encountering substantial challenges due to the presence of water seepage from beneath the dump site.
A representative from the Myanmar Social Relief Organization (Hpakant) stated that despite the resumption of rescue operations on August 14th, they are still grappling with the challenge of addressing water seepage from the base of the soil dump.
"The landslide happened on August 13th. We began rescuing immediately upon hearing the news. Even now, we're still carrying out rescue work, but we haven't located any bodies yet. The major issue is water leaking from the base of the soil pile, causing it to gradually cave in, making the search and rescue efforts very challenging”, he told KNG.
Around 3:00 PM on August 13th, the 500-foot-high soil dump crumbled, sending mud and soil into the pond below. The impact created waves that engulfed nearby scavengers, who were searching for jade, leading to many being carried away by the water and going missing.
At the accident site, 120 individuals from 12 social rescue groups are actively engaged in rescue efforts. As per the given information, 37 jade scavengers are unaccounted for, and 8 have sustained injuries.
"There are 37 people missing. The 8 who got hurt are not in critical condition; they've been taken to Hpakant Hospital", an official of Myanmar Rescue Organization said.
(Note: Reports said on the evening of August 15, people had found 25 bodies.)
According to locals, during clear weather seasons, jade mining firms like Nay Min Kabar, Aung Hein Min, and Jade Leaf would operate in the Mana mining area.
In Hpakant, renowned for its world-class jade, numerous individuals lose their lives each year due to soil dump collapses in the rainy season. In early August, a woman tragically drowned in a landslide at the Aung Thar Yar mining site in Hmaw Sisar village, Hpakant.
Photo caption - Collapse site of soil dump in Hpakant
