Myanmar, Landslide in Sankhar village

At least 15 people were killed and around 40 others injured in a landslide at Mahar Gem block near Sankhar village in Lonekhin village-tract in Hpakant Township in Kachin State on July 14, according to Deputy Police Major Sein Myint Tun from Lonekhin Region Police Station. Min Zaw from Myint Myat Thu Social Organization said: “Now the bodies of 15 people killed in the accident have been recovered. We are collecting the exact number of victims. The death toll is expected to exceed 50. We are unable to carry out the searches for the bodies of those buried the mud due to ongoing landslides.” Ko Bo Thein (aka) Ko Min Min Thein, an eyewitness said: “The old mining pit collapsed soon after a mine exploded during the miners’ lunch break.” There are more than 200,000 migrant workers in Hpakant region. The authority finds to difficult to solve related problems. More than 300 people died every year due to frequent landslides, according to the records from social organizations and police. More than 20 villages near jade mine blocks are in danger of landslide. The floor level of Uru River is as high as 20 feet as jade mining companies from Hpakant region are carrying out indiscriminate disposals of soil wastes into Uru River and its tributaries. Since the previous 10 years, Hpakant and nearby villages are facing flooding.