cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/1462811
Archived version: https://archive.ph/ktwD4
Archived version: https://web.archive.org/web/20230815003703/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66495372
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/1462811
Archived version: https://archive.ph/ktwD4
Archived version: https://web.archive.org/web/20230815003703/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66495372
This is the best summary I could come up with:
The mountainous town of Hpakant in the Kachin state is home to the world’s biggest and most lucrative jade mines.
Many of those affected are believed to be locals digging through the mud along the cliffs, many of whom work and live in abandoned mining pits.
The intense rain had loosened massive piles of earth more than 150m in height, left over from excavations by mining companies, sending the dirt and debris hurtling down the cliff and sweeping up miners on the way.
These attract huge numbers of migrant workers from other parts of the country who come to search for jade, most of which ends up being sold in China.
“We haven’t found any dead bodies yet,” said the rescue worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared being arrested by the military.
There has been frequent fighting there before and after the military coup in 2021, which deposed the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
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