Five workers fall off cliff in third deadly jade mining accident of the week

A mine in Hpakant, Kachin State.
A mine in Hpakant, Kachin State.

The casualties have continued to mount this week in the deadly jade mining region of Hpakant, Kachin state.

Yesterday, five migrant workers were confirmed dead after slipping off the side of a mountain while digging for gems.

Most of the men, who fell at around 8:45pm Tuesday, were in their twenties, according to a report in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar.

They have been named as: Aung Kyaw Soe Khaing, 24; Zaw Naung, 24; Naw Maing, 20; Tan Guam, 26; and Za Tann Zaung Khaung, 39.

The tragedy happened after two landslides claimed up to 30 lives on Monday.

There have been a string of fatal landslides in Hpakant in recent months – the deadliest of which, in late November, left 115 workers dead.

Most have been caused by the collapse of slag heaps, abandoned by mining companies.

Local authorities have warned the firms to stop dumping their waste in the area due to the risks.

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