Myanmar Landslide: At Least 113 Dead In Jade Mine Accident, Rescue Operations Continue [Photos]

Over 100 people were confirmed dead after a landslide at a jade mine in northern Myanmar early Thursday (July 2).

In a Facebook post, the Myanmar Fire Services Department said the incident took place in Hpakant area of Kachin state following heavy rainfall.

"The jade miners were smothered by a wave of mud. A total of 113 bodies have been found so far,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, speaking to Reuters, Tar Lin Maung, a local official with the information ministry, said the death toll is expected to rise. "Now we recovered more than 100 bodies. Other bodies are in the mud,” the official said.

Speaking to the news agency, a witness said he noticed that a pile of mine waste was on the verge of collapse. Soon, people began yelling “run, run!”

"Within a minute, all the people at the bottom (of the hill) just disappeared. I feel empty in my heart. I still have goosebump. There were people stuck in the mud shouting for help but no one could help them,” 38-year-old Maung Khaing told Reuters.

Meanwhile, photos posted on social media showed the search and rescue team at the scene.

This is a developing story.