12 dead, over 100 missing as jade mine pond collapses, engulfing over 50 homes, Myanmar

A jade mining pond collapsed on January 13 at approximately 01:00 LT (18:30 UTC on January 12) in Seikmu Village Tract, Hpakant Township, a jade mining region, and killed 12 people. Witnesses reported that unstable waste soil combined with accumulated sludge caused the pond’s breach.

The disaster buried over 50 houses in Sput Village, a community of around 300 homes, leaving more than 100 residents unaccounted for.

Rescue workers described the incident by explaining how waste soil exerted pressure and forced underground sludge to overflow.

“The incident occurred when the large jade mining pit, saturated with water and loose earth, had become unstable and was no longer possible to drain. The edges of the pit gradually eroded, and during the dead of night, it collapsed with a loud roar,” a resident noted.

Only 12 bodies have been recovered untill now but local sources estimate over 30 fatalities. The area affected includes 2 neighborhoods and entire families including children are feared dead. Villagers had reportedly warned of the risks posed by the mining operation which was managed by a company linked to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

“The KIA’s negligence is to blame. They take no responsibility. Disasters like this happen every year. The root cause is their collaboration with cronies, driven by personal gain. The KIA only care about their own interests,” a resident said.

The tragedy follows years of unregulated and illegal jade mining in Hpakant after official operations were suspended in 2021. Despite the ban, large-scale mining has continued, frequently leading to fatal incidents such as landslides and pond collapses.

The Hpakant area has witnessed similar disasters in the past. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in July 2020 when a landslide in Wai Kha Village killed over 190 freelance miners. On May 12, 2024, a landslide in Mana Village buried 25 individuals.

The ongoing rescue efforts are hindered by the vast quantities of sludge and waste covering the site. Social welfare groups are assisting in clearing debris and searching for survivors but the lack of a comprehensive list of missing persons complicates the operation.

References:

¹ Over hundreds went missing in collapse of jade mining pits in Hpakant – NP news – January 14, 2025

² Another tailings landslide in Hpakant, Myanmar – EOS – January 14, 2025

³ Myanmar jade mine pond collapse submerges 50 homes, 12 dead, dozens missing – THE nation – January 14, 2025

Rishika Yadav

Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.

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