A devastating landmine explosion claimed three lives and left three others injured in the Sebungwe area near the Zambezi River on Wednesday around 5 PM, as reported by the Chronicle.
The incident involved a vehicle belonging to the Binga Rural District Council, which was making a return trip from Sebungwe to Binga Centre.
The vehicle was carrying three council employees as well as passengers who had requested a lift.
On the way back, the driver decided to take an alternative route due to muddy conditions making the main road impassable.
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Tr@gically, while navigating this detour, the vehicle struck a landmine, resulting in a f@tal blast.
One individual died instantly, while two others succumbed to their injuries before reaching the hospital.
The landmine is believed to date back to the Zimbabwean war of independence, specifically from the 1970s.
During that period, the Rhodesian military laid approximately 3 million anti-personnel mines between 1974 and 1979, primarily along the borders with Mozambique and Zambia to prevent the entry of liberation fighters.
Efforts to clear these dangerous remnants of war continue, with various organizations such as the Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre (ZIMAC), HALO Trust, Mines Advisory Group, Norwegian People’s Aid, and APOPO striving to make the country mine-free by 2025.
