July 8, 2009 (DVB), Around 30 people living on a mine dump in northern Burma have been killed by a landslide caused by torrential rain which swept their houses away, locals reported today.
The accident occurred at Lonkhin Jade Mine near Phakant, in an area about 930 miles north of Rangoon known as Jade Land.
"So far as we heard from our field offices, about 30 people were killed when their houses built on the mine dump were swept away in the flash flood caused by torrential rain on July 4," a Rangoon-based jade merchant told Reuters.
A government official from Myitkyina, about 80 km (50 miles) east of Phakant, confirmed the accident.
"We also heard there were some casualties in the landslide, which came last Saturday after it had rained heavily for about four days," said the official, speaking under condition of anonymity.
"The road between Lonkhin and Phakant remains blocked and inaccessible."
Such accidents are common in the rainy season in that area, known for Burma’s famous ruby and jade.
At least 20 people were killed in flash floods in Moegok and Phakant in June and July last year.
Reporting by DVB
