Woman Loses Right Leg After Stepping on Landmine While Foraging in Northern Cambodia

A 49-year-old woman in Cambodia's northern Oddar Meanchey province suffered a severe injury, necessitating the amputation of her right leg, after stepping on an anti-personnel landmine (GYATA-64 type). The incident occurred on August 5th in Cheung Phlay village, adjacent to the Ta Tum historical military area, according to local authorities. The victim, identified as Ann Beat, is a resident of the affected village. The mine action authorities have urged the public to refrain from entering or engaging in foraging or other activities in areas that are unknown or suspected to contain mines and remnants of war due to the risk of injury, disability, or death. They stressed the importance of immediately reporting any discovered mines or unexploded ordnance to the relevant authorities, including police, village chiefs, commune chiefs, and mine clearance operators, for safe disposal. This incident once again highlights the ongoing challenge Cambodia faces in clearing the vast number of mines and unexploded ordnance buried during decades of conflict. In rural areas, in particular, many residents are compelled to enter hazardous zones for land use and food sourcing. Source: CEN Cambodia