UN warns: Landmines in over 50 countries

TT

Published 08.53

 

An international warning sign for mines. Archive image. Photo: Mikhail Metzel/AP/TT

At least 58 countries around the world have landmines lying in the ground, according to a new report from UN human rights chief Volker Türk.

In 2024 alone, at least 945 people were killed by landmines and explosive remnants of war, according to the report, which refers to data from the organization Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor. Another 4,325 were injured.

The worst affected was Myanmar, with over 2,000 killed or injured. Next came Syria and Afghanistan.

90 percent of those affected by landmines are civilians, many of them children.

In recent years, the UN Fund for Mine Action has received a sharp decrease in support from member states.