2015 Hpakant jade mine disaster

Hpakant jade mine disaster

Hpakant jade mine Hpakant jade mine (Myanmar)
Date	21 November 2015
Location	Hpakant, Kachin State, Myanmar
Deaths	116
Non-fatal injuries	N/A
Missing	100

On 21 November 2015, a major landslide in Hpakant, Kachin State, northern Myanmar killed at least 116 people near a jade mine, with around 100 more missing.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Landslide

Hpakant jade mine in 2018

The landslide occurred in the early morning hours, when a man-made heap of waste soil from the nearby jade mine collapsed. Many of those killed were people living in a small village near the waste heap, including both miners and those who scavenged through the waste soil looking for jade remnants to sell. The cause of the collapse is not known.^[1][6]

Rescue efforts by the Myanmar Red Cross and other groups were made to find and recover survivors; one person was pulled alive from the rubble, but subsequently died from injuries.^[1] At least 116 bodies were reportedly recovered^[2] and around 100 people were reported missing. The total number of casualties could not be accurately estimated, as the precise number of people who lived near the site was not known.^[1][2] According to a Hpakant Township General Administration Department official, people had been warned to avoid living near the waste heap because of risk of landslides.^[7]

Investigation

The jade industry in Myanmar generates estimated annual revenues of US$31 billion.^[6] It is presently unclear which companies are responsible for the waste dump, although it is known that prior to the 2015 democratic election, many of these were controlled by the military leadership of the country, leading to questionable safety practices and corruption.^[6] Deaths from similar landslides are common, but none have matched the scale of the Hpakant landslide.^[6] A spokesman for the National League for Democracy party said they will investigate the companies and the practices that led to this disaster.^[6]

See also

• 2015 Myanmar floods

References

1. "Myanmar landslide: 90 dead at Kachin jade mine". BBC News. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
2. Aung Hla Tun (23 November 2015). "Hopes fade for 100 miners missing after landslide near Myanmar jade mine". Reuters. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
3. "Nearly 100 dead in Myanmar jade mine collapse". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
4. "Hopes Fade for 100 Miners Missing After Landslide Near Myanmar Jade Mine". The New York Times. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
5. "Myanmar jade mine landslide kills around 100". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
6. Mahtani, Shibani; Myo, Myo (23 November 2015). "Myanmar Mine Disaster Highlights Challenge to Suu Kyi". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
7. "Myanmar landslide: 'Many missing' at Kachin jade mine". BBC. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.

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