A tragic jade mining pond collapse occurred at Sapot village in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, at 1 a.m. on January 13, resulting in the recovery of 19 bodies so far.

Rescue teams reported that 57 houses were destroyed in the disaster, with further recovery efforts severely hampered by heavy mud and challenging conditions.

“Fourteen bodies were recovered on January 13. The following day, we buried the victims and conducted prayers according to their respective religions. Yesterday morning, five more bodies were found. Two bodies are still being removed from the mud, and four of the victims were children. Only 15 people are listed as missing, but no one has taken responsibility for the incident,” said one of the rescue workers.

Relevant administrative officials are continuing rescue operations with the assistance of company-owned machinery, striving to find those still unaccounted for amidst the devastation.

Since the political changes in 2021, official jade mining operations in Hpakant have been suspended. However, large-scale illegal mining continues, often resulting in fatal incidents such as landslides and pond collapses.

One of the deadliest incidents in Hpakant occurred in July 2020, when a landslide at a jade mining site in Wai Kha Village killed over 190 freelance miners.