KACHIN – (As of the time of the article) A devastating landslide at the old jade mining site near Whaykha Village, Hseikmu Village-tract, Hpakant Township, Kachin State, killed at least 162 people on June 2.

About 54 people were wounded and they were sent to Hpakant Hospital and  Whaykha District Hospital.

Nearby residents said the landslide occurred after dumped soil fell into an old pit 1,000 feet below, occurring 10 feet of wave and downing those in the vicinity of the pit.

“Now, we have recovered 162 bodies. There are people still missing. The number may grow.

The Ministry of Relief and Resettlement is planning to provide Ks.300, 000 each to the death and Ks.50, 000 to the wounded. Some of the deaths were scavengers, some have relatives but some haven’t according to Minister for resources and environmental conservation Dahi Lasai.

The majority of the death are Rakhine and Kachin nationals while Myanmar, Chin, Shan were also included.

In Hpakant, landslide and mudslide usually occur and it is common in the rainy season. An instruction with ten points has been issued in Hpakant for the closing of mining sites from July 1, up to three months.