Landslide of mining debris kills 75 in northern Myanmar

Dozens of people have died and scores are missing after a mountain of debris collapsed in northern Myanmar.

The 300-meter pile of waste rock from the region’s gold and jade mines, which had accumulated during the mining process, collapsed on Saturday morning in Hpakant Township in the restive Kachin State.

“Seventy-five bodies have been recovered so far,” said the township administrator, Tint Swe Myint.

The debris landslide destroyed about 50 houses nearby, and more than 100 people are still missing, he said. “We are still trying to rescue them.”

Landslides are common in Hpakant, where as much as 90 percent of the world’s jade is mined.

In late March, at least a dozen people were killed in another landslide near jade mines in the same area.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk