Three children were killed and two others injured in Afghanistan’s Helmand province as an unexploded ordnance exploded while they were playing in an open area. The incident occurred in Garmsir district on Saturday morning, said provincial government spokesman Mawlawi Mohammad Qasim Riaz.
The innocent children found a toy-like device which exploded, killing three children on the spot. The injured children have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. This tragic incident is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance in conflict-affected areas.
This is not the first such incident in Afghanistan, as a similar explosion in Baghlan province earlier in January resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to seven others. Afghanistan continues to be one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world, with explosive devices and unexploded mines causing casualties regularly.
The country has been plagued by conflicts for more than four decades, leaving behind a deadly legacy of landmines and explosive remnants of war. These incidents highlight the urgent need for greater mine action efforts to prevent further loss of innocent lives. Authorities are yet to provide further details on the incident.
