MINE HORROR
Myanmar landslide – ‘At least 100 dead’ and dozens trapped in jade mine disaster as bodies are pulled from mud
MORE than 100 people have been killed and more remain missing following a mudslide at a jade mine in Myanmar.
The slide, which occurred at a site in the northern region of Hpakant, was triggered by heavy rain at around 6.30am local time, officials said.
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The disaster comes in the middle of the country's summer monsoon season.
A post on the Facebook page of the Myanmar Fire Service said 113 bodies had been recovered so far.
"The jade miners were smothered by a wave of mud, which hit after heavy rainfall," the service said.
Officials have also said the final death toll is likely to be higher.
Footage shows a huge mass of earth moving down the edge of a flooded pit and crashing into the water below.
Search and rescue efforts are currently on hold due to heavy rains, the reported.
Maung Khaing, 38, a local miner, said he seen the hillside looking like it was about to give way when people began shouting: "Run!"
"Within a minute, all the people at the bottom just disappeared," he told Reuters.
"I feel empty in my heart. I still have goosebumps.
"There were people stuck in the mud shouting for help, but no one could help them."
Myanmar is the world's largest supplier of jade, but accidents are frequent in its poorly-regulated mines.
Rubble from the mining process generates large and unstable mounds that locals will sift through in search of jade stones.
New safety laws were passed last year, but enforcing the laws and clamping down on illegal practices has reportedly proved difficult.
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The industry is estimated to be worth £24bn a year to the country, almost half of its GDP.
Corruption and the control of the mines by small groups of wealthy people reportedly means very little of the profits end up in the state coffers.
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