At least 162 killed in Myanmar Jade mine collapse

In Myanmar, at least 162 people have been killed in a landslide at a jade mine in northern Kachin province. Myanmar Fire Service Department said that 162 bodies have been recovered from the landslide in Hpakant, the centre of the world’s biggest and most lucrative jade mining industry.

 Hpakant is a rough and remote area in Kachin state, 950 kilometres north of Myanmar’s biggest city, Yangon. 54 injured people were taken to hospitals. An unknown number of people are feared missing. Emergency workers had to slog through heavy mud to retrieve the bodies.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep sadness at the deaths and sent condolences to families of the victims and Myanmar’s government and people.