Three people were killed and one other injured in an illegal gravel mining collapse in the Minwon mountain wildlife sanctuary on the morning of January 28.

Kyaw Win Hlaing, Sagaing District Commissioner of General Administration Department said: “The accident took place in the wildlife sanctuary of Minwon Mountain. Locals are doing illegal mining for their livelihood even though the authority has banned it. The Forest Department will file a case against illegal miners. We have told them not to do it as the issuance of permits for mining works is under way.”

The illegal mine is located in Taungnyo village in Minwon mountain wildlife sanctuary.

Sagaing District Fire Service Department, social organizations and servicemen rushed to the scene. At around 9 am, a man was found alive and sent to Mandalay Hospital. At 1 pm, the bodies of two men and woman killed in the accident were discovered.