Over hundreds went missing in collapse of jade mining pits in Hpakant
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Eain (NP News) - Jan 14
Over hundreds of people have been missing while more than 50 houses were buried in the collapse of jade mining pits in Hpakant, according to the residents.
The disaster happened on 13 January morning in Seikmu Village Tract, located in Hpakant.
“The incident occurred when the large jade mining pit, saturated with water and loose earth, had become unstable and was no longer possible to drain. The edges of the pit gradually eroded, and during the dead of night, it collapsed with a loud roar. Around 50 homes in Sput Village were buried. Since the collapse happened around 1 am, when everyone was fast asleep, there was no chance for anyone to escape. The homes were completely swept away,” a local resident told NP News.
As a result of the jade pit collapse, over 50 houses in Sput Village, which has more than 300 homes, were buried. More than 100 people went missing, and initial reports indicate that only eight bodies have been recovered so far.
The collapsed pit was a jade mining site operated by a company with permission from the KIA in the Bazan Chaung area of Sput Village. According to a local resident, villagers had previously requested preventive action since it was risky to collapse. However, the KIA took no measures and it led to this tragic incident.
"The KIA’s negligence is to blame. They take no responsibility. Disasters like this happen every year. The root cause is their collaboration with cronies, driven by personal gain. The KIA only care about their own interests," the local resident stated.
Similarly, on May 12, 2024, a landslide occurred at a mining pond near Mana Village in Aye Mya Thayar Ward, Hpakant Township, resulting in the disappearance of at least 25 people.