Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) Thai Binh (VNA) – Sappers in thenorthern province of Thai Binh safely defused a 250-kg bomb left from wartimeon June 5.
Local residents in Hung Ha district’s Cong Hoacommune found the bomb on June 4, when upgrading a dyke section along the Luoc River.
After receiving information on the whereaboutsof the explosive device, local authorities had laid siege to the dangerous areaand deployed troops for safeguarding.
The bomb was moved to a safe place on the sameday and defused the next day.
An estimated 800,000 tonnes of unexploded bombsand mines leftover from wartime are buried over 20 percent of the country’sterritory, mainly in the central region, according to the Ministry of Labour,Invalids and Social Affairs. Leftover wartime bombs and mines have claimedabout 42,130 lives and injured 62,160 others across Vietnam.
It is estimated it will take 100 years and 10billion USD to clear post-war mines remaining in Vietnam, the ministry said.
The Vietnamese government approved a 2010-2025national programme on tackling post-war bombs, mines and unexploded ordnanceson April 21, 2010, known as Programme 504. Its goal is to use national andinternational resources to minimise the effects of UXOs on social-economicdevelopment, defence and security, while ensuring safety for people and helpingvictims reintegrate into society.-VNA
VNA
