LEBANON: An advisory committee removing mines in southern Lebanon says it could take years to defuse unexploded munitions.

Record ID: 395740

  • Title: LEBANON: An advisory committee removing mines in southern Lebanon says it could take years to defuse unexploded munitions.
  • Date: 24th August 2006
  • Summary: (BN13) TYRE, LEBANON (AUGUST 23, 2006) (REUTERS) MAG MEMBERS UNSCREWING FUSE FROM 600LB BOMB MAG MEMBERS STANDING IN FOREGROUND WHILE BOMB IS BEING MADE SAFE
  • Embargoed: 8th September 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVAD6S8EG79VDGYEJ4KK0WDW9YXJ
  • Story Text: An advisory committee on removing mines, which is working in southern Lebanon said on Wednesday (August 23) that it could take years to defuse unexploded munitions from the war between Israel and Lebanese Hizbollah guerillas.
    Fredrick Gras, a technical advisor for the group said that mine defusing teams working in Lebanon today are still recovering mines from the civil war.
    "It is very difficult to say how long we need to recover everything. When we walk in a garden sometimes we find ammunition from the last war so it will take many years," said gras.
    Lebanese bomb disposal units and mines removing charities are continuing to search areas around the south of Lebanon for the deadly remnants of the 34 day war fought between Hizbollah guerrillas and the Israeli army. Unexploded mortar rounds, shells, cluster bombs and grenades litter many areas in the south, the scene of the most intense fighting between the two sides.
    Members of the mine removing teams at work around southern Lebanon are facing a daunting task with literally thousands of bombs waiting to be discovered.
    The need to remove these dangerous items increases every day, as people, especially children are getting injured or killed.
    "This is very dangerous because a lot of the ammunition failed to explode and children like to play in the garden and when they find this they take them and play with them. In this area, there are two or three accidents a day with children," explained Gras, who works with the Mine Advisory Group.
    With the situation so critical, and so many unexploded bombs for the few mine removing teams to deal with, charity organisations are having to use education and information to try and keep the people of south Lebanon safe.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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