Devendra Kumar
The gruesome discovery of 33 bodies has been made in northern Myanmar after a devastating landslide at a jade mine in Hpakant, the world’s largest and most lucrative jade mining district. The disaster occurred on Sunday when earth and debris from several mines slid down a 1,000-foot cliff into a lake below, carrying more than 35 miners with it. The victims, all men, were swept away to their deaths, leaving behind a trail of devastation and heartbreak.
For rescuers, the task of recovering the bodies has been a grim and laborious one. Using five small boats, a team of around 150 rescuers have been combing the muddy lake in Manna village, carefully searching for and extricating the bodies. The victims have been covered with green plastic sheets and placed in a row on the bank of the lake as mournful relatives arrive to claim them for cremation.
The landslide is just the latest in a long series of tragic accidents to hit Hpakant’s jade mines, with at least 162 people losing their lives in a similar disaster in July 2020 and 113 in November 2015. The majority of victims are independent miners who settle near the giant mounds of discarded earth excavated by heavy machinery used by mining companies.
Despite the risks, the incentive to extract jade from the region remains strong, driven in part by the lucrative nature of the industry. Human rights activists argue that jade mining is a significant source of revenue for Myanmar’s military-installed government, making it a key target for those seeking to reduce the government’s power. Opponents of army rule advocate sanctions and boycotts to reduce jade sales, which they believe will help to weaken the military’s grip on the country.
The jade mining industry also plays a significant role in the decades-long struggle of ethnic Kachin rebel groups for greater autonomy. The region is currently embroiled in an armed conflict between the Kachin Independence Army and the military, which has forced many civilians to flee to nearby townships. The devastating effect of this conflict on local communities, combined with the high risk of accidents in the jade mines, highlights the urgent need for greater regulation and safety measures to be implemented in the industry.