At least 110 workers died in a landslide in a jade mine in Myanmar. Others were trapped after the accident early Thursday morning (local time) and at least 23 others were injured, said Hpakant Region MP Khin Maung Myint, the German press agency. The landslide was triggered by heavy rain, the fire department wrote on Facebook.
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In the Hpakant region, where the accident occurred, there are many jade mines that are often unsafe and poorly regulated. Deadly landslides occur again and again. About 116 people died in an incident five years ago.
Myanmar is one of the largest suppliers of gemstones. According to an estimate by the organization Global Witness, jade trading in the Southeast Asian country is worth around $ 31 billion (28 billion euros) – and accounts for almost half of the country’s gross domestic product. Much of this is achieved on the black market. (SDA)
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