Jade Mine Collapse Kills Two, Dozens Trapped in Myanmar

At least two people are dead and around 20 more feared trapped after yet another jade mine collapse in northern Myanmar’s notorious Hpakant region, authorities confirmed on Monday.

The incident occurred early in the morning in Kachin State, when a wall of the open-pit mine gave way, burying workers and flattening several nearby homes. Local rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate survivors beneath the rubble, but hopes are fading.

“Two bodies have been recovered so far, and rescue operations are still ongoing,” a local rescue official told Xinhua news agency. “The death toll may exceed ten.”

Hpakant, the heart of Myanmar’s lucrative but perilously unregulated jade industry, has long been plagued by fatal landslides. Driven by demand from neighbouring China, the trade generates billions each year but often at great human cost.

Working conditions in the region are notoriously unsafe, with poor oversight, rampant illegal mining, and weak enforcement of safety rules. Collapses, particularly during the rainy season, are tragically common.

Monday’s disaster is the latest in a grim series of accidents in the area. Activists and human rights groups have repeatedly called on both Myanmar’s junta and opposition authorities to prioritise reforms and worker protections in the jade sector.

“This is not an isolated tragedy,” said one Hpakant resident. “It keeps happening, and no one is ever held accountable.”

With political instability and ongoing conflict limiting oversight, many fear the situation will only worsen.

Rescue workers say conditions at the site remain treacherous, raising concerns for those still trapped underground. Local authorities have yet to release a full list of those missing.

As the search continues, the collapse once again highlights the deadly cost of one of Myanmar’s most profitable — and perilous — industries.

-2025-07-22