Local Taliban officials in Frah report a mine explosion in the Qala-e-Gah district of Frah province, which resulted in two deaths and three injuries.
Mohammad Ismail Zahed, the commissioner of the Sheikh Abunaser Farahi port, stated that the explosion occurred after noon on Monday, February 10, along the route to Sheikh Abunaser Farahi port in the Qala-e-Gah district of Farah province. Two individuals were killed, and three others were injured.
According to him, the explosion happened when a vehicle carrying these individuals, who were traveling westward in Farah to attend a celebration, struck a mine left over from the war. Zahed added that two passengers were killed instantly, and three others were severely wounded.
Afghanistan, due to years of conflict, is one of the most contaminated regions with mines and unexploded ordnance. According to OCHA, the UN humanitarian coordinator, 3.3 million people live near mine-contaminated and unexploded ordnance areas, and on average, 55 people lose their lives each month due to these explosives, with children making up 80% of the victims.
OCHA has stated that $21.9 million is needed for mine clearance operations in Afghanistan for the current year.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian People’s Aid organization, which had been involved in mine clearance activities in Afghanistan, halted its operations after the cessation of U.S. foreign aid.