While digging holes for planting trees in his backyard, Mr. Tran Van Phu, a resident of Group 4, Khe Sanh commune, Quang Tri province, discovered several suspicious objects believed to be unexploded ordnance (UXO) left from the war.

Upon receiving the report, EOD1 promptly arrived at the scene to conduct a survey, cordon off the area to ensure public safety, and formulate a disposal plan.

At the scene, the team found 361 unexploded 7.62 mm rounds, as well as eight M33 grenades with broken fuses.

The unit then collected and transported the explosives to a storage facility for disposal and destruction in accordance with all relevant technical procedures.

Quang Tri was located near the 17th parallel, the former military demarcation line between North and South Vietnam during the US-waged war. It witnessed some of the fiercest battles of the war, including the 1972 Easter Offensive.

The area was subjected to extensive aerial bombardments, particularly by US forces, making it one of the most bombed places in the world per square kilometer. Millions of tonnes of bombs, artillery shells, and mines were dropped or deployed in this region.

Many munitions failed to detonate upon impact due to technical malfunctions, soft ground, or other factors. These UXOs were buried for decades, posing ongoing risks.

While many national and international efforts have been made to clear bombs and mines, vast areas of land, especially remote or mountainous regions, remain uncleared due to limited resources and challenging terrain.

Unexploded 100 kg bomb discovered in north Vietnam

VOV.VN - Sappers under the northern province of Hung Yen’s Military Command safely deactivated a war-time bomb on November 12 in Kim Dong district.