Seven Arakanese jade scavengers confirmed dead in Hpakant mining landslide

By Admin 29 Jun 2026

DMG Newsroom

29 June 2026, Hpakant, Kachin State

Seven people have been confirmed dead following a mining waste dump collapse in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, with all victims identified as Arakanese migrant workers, according to local rescue groups on Monday.

The landslide occurred at around 1:00 AM on June 28 in the Thone Thein Hmaw mining area near Nam Hmaw Village, where freelance jade scavengers were searching through mining waste.

Heavy monsoon rains caused the collapse of a large tailings dump, burying workers beneath mud and mining debris.

Rescue teams have recovered six bodies from the site, while search operations continue for another victim believed to remain trapped under the collapsed dump.

"Six people have been accounted for, and efforts are continuing to recover the remaining victim," a local Arakanese rescue worker said. "All confirmed victims are Arakanese workers."

The rescue operation is being carried out by the Hpakant based Arakan Traditional Charity Association together with local civil society groups. Authorities are still working to verify the identities of the victims.

Heavy rainfall continues to create dangerous conditions at the site, with rescue workers warning that unstable mining slopes could collapse again.

Local safety groups said more unregistered workers may still be buried under the debris.

According to Arakanese community organizations in Kachin State, large numbers of people from conflict affected areas of Arakan State have migrated to Hpakant, where many rely on risky jade scavenging work and other informal jobs for survival.

Mining waste dump collapses remain a recurring danger in Hpakant during the monsoon season, particularly for vulnerable migrant workers searching for discarded jade.