A bomb and mine disposal company on April 13 safely removed a 225-kg bomb believed to be dropped by then U.S. planes in 1972 from the construction site of a highway in the northern province of Quang Ninh. Company 319 (under the Defence Ministry) discovered the MK82 bomb when clearing unexploded ordnance in Tien Lang commune (Tien Yen district) in preparation for the construction of the Van Don-Mong Cai Highway. Post-war bombs and mines have remained a daily threat in Vietnam. It is estimated that more than 6.1 million ha of land or 18.71% of Vietnam’s total area are contaminated with about 800,000 tons of bombs, mines and unexploded ordnances (UXO) left by wars, which are scattered over all 63 cities and provinces in the country, with the central region the hardest hit. Between 1975 and now, bombs and mines killed more than 40,000 people and injured 60,000 others. Each year, Vietnam decontaminates from 40,000-50,000 ha of land. However, it will take more than a century to clear all bombs and mines in the country, with an estimated cost of over $10 billion, excluding spending on resettlement and social welfare work in the danger zones. (VOV Apr 13)
