230-kilo wartime bomb found in central Vietnam

Experts from Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a U.K.-based non-governmental organization that assists people affected by landmines, unexploded ordnance, and small arms and light weapons, were sent to Truong Giang Village in Le Thuy District on Wednesday following an order from Quang Binh Military Command.

The bomb was found at a construction site that lies around one kilometer from a residential area, Vietnam News Agency reported.

It was buried 50 centimeters underground and detected by an excavator driver, who immediately reported the situation to local authorities.

As confirmed by experts, the bomb of 230 kilograms still has explosives left inside.

It has been safely moved to a warehouse where it will be destroyed in line with existing rules.

Since the war ended in 1975, more than 40,000 people have been killed and 60,000 injured due to unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Vietnam.

The area of land contaminated with UXO in the country remains large, at 5.6 million hectares, or 17.7 percent of its total land area, heard a meeting to conclude the National Action Program for Overcoming the Impact of Post-War Bombs and Mines in Hanoi last month.

In 2010-2020, almost 50,000 hectares had been cleared from UXO at a total cost of more than VND12.6 trillion ($551.8 million), with over VND10.4 trillion derived from Vietnam’s budget and the rest from non-refundable foreign aid.