Mizzima News

Chiang Mai — A landslide in Phakant jade mine killed at least 20 people, local residents said.

They were killed while searching for gold in the dumping site of jade mining companies in the afternoon of July 30 at Hmawsizar jade mine in Phakant, Myitkyinar district, Kachin State, northern Burma.

There is very little chance of retrieving the bodies from the landslide. Most of the dead hail from central Burma.

"People tried to save them that day and the next. They have now stopped the rescue and search operations. Three to four bodies reached our hospital," a nurse from nearby 'Lonekhin' hospital told Mizzima.

Landslides frequently kill people in these remote jade and gold mines, about 960 kilometres north of Rangoon, but the news of these tragic deaths rarely reach the outside world.

Jade from Phakant mines are famous the world over.

Meanwhile, a Thai based student group urged people going to the 2008 Beijing Olympics not to buy jewellery and souvenirs made from gems and stones from Phakant jade mines.

"Our mountains have disappeared and our youth are dying. The generals are letting their cronies mine away our future," Naw La, a member of 'All Burma Kachin Students' Union' (AKSYU), said. "We urge people not to buy blood jade from Burma", the appeal said.