Second Landslide In A Week In Hpakant Jade Mine

Second Landslide In A Week In Hpakant Jade Mine

An environmental group said authorities aren't doing enough to address the problem.

Two people are reported missing since April 23 after a landslide in the Hpakant jade mine happened the day after another landslide in the same mine.

Fifty-four people are still missing and believed to be dead after the first landslide near Maw-wan-kalay village on April 22. Over 20 vehicles were also buried.

The latest landslide occurred after a muddy pool of water collapsed close to where the first landslide happened. Two backhoes were also lost.

"A rescue mission gave up searching for the missing people from the first landslide after recovering bodies of some of the deceased," an officer from Maw-wan-kalay village administration office told KNG.

Locals said the second landslide occurred in a block of jade where the KNDPC (Kachin National Development Company) is operating.

"Landslides are repeatedly happening in jade blocks,” a local said. The companies must take steps to ensure the areas they are digging are safe for their workers.

Ying Hkaw, from the Green Land environmental group, told KNG the government, the Myanmar Army and KIO/KIA aren't doing enough to solve the problems that is causing the landslides and it's leading to many worker casualties.

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