The bodies of most of the dead have already been recovered.

At least 18 people are feared dead in the latest landslide to hit the jade-mining region of Hpakant, including company employees and police.

The landslide occurred at an old jade-mining block near the village of Kawng San in Hpakant Township’s Seng Tawng village-tract at around 2:30am on Sunday.

Nawng Latt, an employee of the mining company Green Land, said that at least 18 people were believed dead in the incident. He added that a number of bodies have been recovered.

“Three bodies were discovered this morning [July 29]. Rescue workers already took out more than 10 bodies yesterday. So far, the bodies of 15 of the dead have been found,” he told KNG.

Landslides are a regular occurrence in Hpakant. Nawng Latt said he blamed the problem on a lack of enforcement of safety regulations due to the lawless nature of the local industry, which attracts dozens of companies that use few if any precautions to prevent deadly disasters.