Two huge bombs deactivated in Vinh Phuc
VOV.VN - The People’s Committee of Song Lo district in the northern province of Vinh Phuc said on October 31 that two large bombs had been safely deactivated by the local military command and sappers.
According to information given by the local authority, the explosive device was found by two local men, who had been out detecting metals. After finding a signal underground, they immediately dug and discovered two bombs lying side by side.
The bombs, weighing nearly one tonne, still had its fuse intact and are believed to have been left over from the US war in Vietnam.
Upon receiving the news, local authorities moved to cordon off the dangerous area, deployed troops to ensure safeguarding, and evacuated surrounding households. The bomb was subsequently moved to a safe place in the area of Dong Que commune for detonation.
Decades after the end of the war, Vietnam still suffers from the deadly threat of bombs, mines, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from historic conflicts.
According to the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre, all 63 provinces and centrally-run cities across the country are contaminated with UXO, with 5.6 million hectares of land affected in total, covering a total area of 17.71% of the country’s acreage.
It is estimated that between 600,000 to 800,000 tonnes of UXO remain hidden underground, with 110,000 people so far having been victims of UXO.
