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Opinion

Myanmar jade mine disaster highlights government inaction

Nearly 200 people died when a mountain of waste collapse in heavy rains

| Myanmar
Rescuers work at the site of landslide in Hpakant on July 2: devastating tragedy was likely avoidable.   © Myanmar Fire Service Department/AP

Hanna Hindstrom is senior Myanmar campaigner at Global Witness, an international human rights nonprofit organization.

When the mountain of mining waste collapsed into a lake formed by monsoon rains, the miners had no time to run. Within seconds the lake burst its banks and a massive flood swept at least 174 people to their deaths.

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