World

Nine children dead in Afghan explosion

By AAP Newswire

Jan 11, 2022

Afghan explosion kills nine children — Nine children are dead and four injured after a remnant of war exploded in eastern Afghanistan. -AP

At least nine children have been killed and four others injured following the detonation of an explosive remnant of war in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, official sources reported.

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The incident occurred on Monday morning when a person was collecting pieces of iron scraps, spokesperson of the Information and Culture Office in Nangarhar Province, Hanif Nangarhari, told EFE.

As a result, nine children died and four were injured, he added.

According to local media reports, the explosion took place in the vicinity of a school in the Lalpura district of Nangarhar province.

Afghanistan has suffered for years from the damage caused by the explosive remnants of war and mines, following decades of armed conflict.

Abandoned houses and remote areas pose a greater danger to the civilian population, as these areas have not been swept clean by mine specialists.

Children are particularly vulnerable to explosives left behind in conflict zones, as they are unable to identify them correctly.

For several decades, dozens of demining companies have been working in Afghanistan to clean up explosive remnants of war, but because of the continuing conflict, they were unable to clear all mines.

A similar incident took place on November 24 when four children died and one was injured following a detonation while the minors were collecting pieces of scrap iron for sale.Â