Phnom Penh (DPA)- Five Cambodian plantation workers were killed when their ox-cart detonated an anti-tank mine in western Cambodia, a senior demining official confirmed Monday.
Three workers were killed instantly and another 10 were injured in the blast which took place early Saturday, said Leng Sochea, the deputy secretary-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority.
"In the evening another two died, so up to now five have been killed," he said, adding that the eight survivors remain in a serious condition.
Cambodia is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, the legacy of decades of civil war.
However, the number of people killed or injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) has declined steadily over the past 20 years.
Last year 47 people died from landmines and UXO, while 243 were injured.
In 1994 almost 3,000 people were killed or injured, but extensive demining efforts and education have helped to reduce the number of casualties.
More than half of last year's deaths and injuries came from just three provinces in the country's west and north-west.
In 1999 Cambodia ratified the Ottawa Treaty, which bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines.
The treaty gave countries 10 years to clear mines from their territory, but Cambodia missed that goal. The country was recently granted a 10-year extension to the deadline.
Three workers were killed instantly and another 10 were injured in the blast which took place early Saturday, said Leng Sochea, the deputy secretary-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority.
"In the evening another two died, so up to now five have been killed," he said, adding that the eight survivors remain in a serious condition.
Cambodia is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, the legacy of decades of civil war.
However, the number of people killed or injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) has declined steadily over the past 20 years.
Last year 47 people died from landmines and UXO, while 243 were injured.
In 1994 almost 3,000 people were killed or injured, but extensive demining efforts and education have helped to reduce the number of casualties.
More than half of last year's deaths and injuries came from just three provinces in the country's west and north-west.
In 1999 Cambodia ratified the Ottawa Treaty, which bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines.
The treaty gave countries 10 years to clear mines from their territory, but Cambodia missed that goal. The country was recently granted a 10-year extension to the deadline.
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