Five bodies recovered after deadly landslide in Hpakant jade mining region

Mizzima The bodies of five individuals killed in a landslide in Hpakant, Kachin State, were recovered after a disused mine dump collapsed in the early hours of 28 June in Namaw village, located within the Seikmu village tract of Hpakant township. Local residents and the Thinhka social welfare association confirmed the discovery of the victims, noting that four of the bodies were cremated later that same day. According to reports from Uru Daily News, the deceased have been identified as Ko Soe Aung Thein, 29; Ko Win San, 32; Ko Zaw Naing Lin, 35; Ko Maung Maung San, 47; and Ko Myo Lin Htay, 24. All five victims were residents of Namaw village. The tragedy highlights the perilous conditions faced by labourers in the area, particularly during inclement weather. One local gemstone seeker emphasized the severe dangers of the region, said, “The working in Hpakant is incredibly difficult during the rainy season because the soft, saturated soil frequently triggers sudden and devastating landslides.” Discrepancies remain regarding the full scale of the incident. While some local media reports indicate that seven people were trapped in the collapse, other local sources suggest the number of trapped individuals could be as high as 20. These differing figures have not yet been independently verified. Landslides involving abandoned mining dumps are a recurring hazard in Hpakant, a globally renowned jade mining hub, frequently resulting in fatalities among independent prospectors. These individuals, locally known as “river wash jade seekers,” routinely risk their lives to scavenge for jade pieces in the unstable waste piles and old concessions left behind by large mining corporations.