Dozens of workers are feared dead after a landslide triggered by heavy rain swept them into a lake near a Burmese jade mine.

The diggers - mostly artisan miners sifting through excavated rubble for precious jade stones - were buried by the torrent of moving earth and water in Hpakant town, Kachin State, on August 13 afternoon.

Dramatic footage shows the aftermath of the landslide, with brown water surging against the muddy embankments around the mine as onlookers watched from above.

Local rescuers said the earth slid some 300 metres down the cliff, leaving at least 36 people missing when they were struck by rocks and soil tumbling down. Eight people were injured and taken to a hospital.

A rescue worker, speaking anonymously citing safety concerns, told local media that search operations were ongoing, but were hampered by minor landslides still happening in the area. The rushing torrents have also made it difficult for divers to enter the lake, he said.

Myanmar is the world's largest jade supplier, with the Hpakant Township housing some of the biggest and most productive jade mines in the industry. Burmese jade is in high demand from neighbouring China where it is carved into ornate statutes that are believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

However, the mines are plagued by frequent accidents due to corruption and poorly enforced safety regulations.

In July 2, 2020, a massive landslide buried around 200 miners in the same area in Myanmar's deadliest mining accident. While in November 21, 2015, another landslide in Hpakant killed at least 116.