The BBC Burmese reported about the missing of 37 people after a mudslide at a jade mine in Mana village, Hpakant township on August 13th afternoon. Out of the 37 missing persons, 6 dead bodies were found and can only identify the names of 2 of the bodies found, reported this afternoon. Since they have been missing for more than 24 hours, the rescue teams believe that these people are dead.
Mining operations are supposed to be suspended during the rainy season. However, it was reported there has been ongoing activity on an illegal basis. Nevertheless, many of the victims were believed to be independent scavengers looking to find jade, digging through the mud along the cliffs. Similar events took place in the past few years killing hundreds of lives.
Including this jade mine in Hpakant, many of the natural resources are important sources of revenue for Myanmar’s military and many of the political disputes in Myanmar derived from these and thus it plays a critical role in discussion for future federal government setting.
Today, we call you to join us in praying for:
-God’s comfort for members of the suffering families
-Release from curses from all the natural resources God has granted to Myanmar
-Let these natural resources be blessings for the people and the nation
-To have in place systematic and firm environmentally sensitive management practice over the jade mines and other natural resources throughout Myanmar
