At least 162 people were killed Thursday in a landslide at a jade mine in northern Myanmar, the worst in a series of deadly accidents at such sites in recent years that critics blame on the government's failure to take action against unsafe conditions.

The Myanmar Fire Service Department, which coordinates rescues and other emergency services, announced about 12 hours after the morning disaster that 162 bodies were recovered from the landslide in Hpakant, the center of the world's biggest and most lucrative jade mining industry. [..]

The most detailed estimate of Myanmar's jade industry said it generated about $31 billion in 2014. Hpakant is a rough and remote area in Kachin state, 600 miles north of Myanmar's biggest city, Yangon. [..]

The London-based environmental watchdog Global Witness said the accident "is a damning indictment of the government"s failure to curb reckless and irresponsible mining practices in Kachin state's jade mines."

Hpakant landslide death toll rises to 172

Hpakant landslide

The total death toll from Hpakant landslide has reached 172, and search and rescue operations for the missing people are suspended due to the landslide risk, according to the local administrative organizations and rescue teams.

Myo Myint, deputy head of Hpakant Township Red Cross Association said: "We have to suspend search and rescue operations due to heavy rains and the landslide risk. Today, the bodies of 11 victims were recovered. According to the residents, the number of missing people is expected to exceed 250. The missing people may be buried in the mud. Search and rescue operations will continue tomorrow if the weather is fine."

Waikhar village administrator U Kyaw Min said: "The bodies of 67 victims killed in the landslide were buried. They are not ownerless. Ward administrators are still compiling the list of missing people."

Upper House MP U Cho (aka) U Khin Maung Myint said: "The bodies of victims who have the families are cremated. We are going to search for the ownerless dead bodies by sending their photos to other jade mining sites. Plan is under way to designate a no-go area for the dangerous mining sites. It has been raining here since 10 days. The main cause of this tragic incident is linked to excessive jade mining. I would like to request the people not to come to Hpakant in the rainy season."

Kachin State government donated Ks 50 million, Northern Command, Ks 50 million, Hpakant Gem Association, Ks 50 million and the KNGPC, Ks 10 million.

The army is planning to provide rice and other relief assistance to the victims.

According to the records, many scavengers died due to the landslides since 2000. Since 2010, the death toll from the landslides have killed around 100 to 300 every year. In December, 2015, the collapse of waste piles killed 114 scavengers. In 2020, nearly 30 people died due to landslides and the collapse of mud lakes.

According to the records of Kachin State government, there were 19 landslides in Hpakant Township in 2019, resulting in 93 deaths and 14 injuries.

Hpakant Township sees around 300,000 migrant workers coming from the four corners of the country.