YANGON, Aug 17 (NNN-MNA) – The death toll from the jade mine collapse in northern Myanmar’s Kachin State rose to 33 yesterday, local police said.
“After three days of rescue operations, 33 bodies have been recovered,” a police officer in Hpakant told the media yesterday.
The collapse took place at around 3:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, at the jade mine near Ma Na Village in Hpakant, the centre of Myanmar’s jade industry, with over 30 people reported missing.
“We couldn’t tell the exact number of people who went missing. Locals said 36 people were missing,” the police officer said, adding that, the figures could rise.
“Adding to the 25 bodies already recovered until yesterday (Tuesday), eight more bodies were found today (yesterday) – seven in the morning and one in the evening, bringing the total death toll to 33,” Tarlin Mg, a resident in the Hpakant area, said, yesterday.
Rescuer efforts concluded at 4.00 p.m. for the day, with operations continuing today, he said.– NNN-MNA
