Hundreds feared lost in gemland landslide

Some 200-300 workers might have perished during the torrential rain that led to the collapse of a number of excavations in the gemland of Monghsu, 189 miles (300 km) northeast of Taunggyi, on 3 July.

At least 3 of the pits, #270, #298 and #325, each more than 100ft deep, had given way to the downpour.

The New Light of Myanmar had not given the specifics, but a police report mentioned arrival of 1 dead and 4 injured at the Monghsu hospital from Loi Hsawnghtao, where the disaster took place.

Monghsu has already suffered two great fires that had killed hundreds in the year 2000: one on 3 January and the next on 15 February.

Photo Courtesy: www.myanmargems-jewellery.com.mm