KABUL - The United Nations Mine Action Center for Afghanistan UNMACA has raised deep concerns over a surge in civilian casualties caused by landmine explosions in Afghanistan, calling on the warring sides to ensure the safety of civilians.
According to UNMACA, up to 500,000 square kilometers of land is covered with landmines and other explosive devices which are causing serious threats to the lives of the people.
The statistics revealed by UNMACA shows that on average every month up to 100 people are killed or wounded as a result of landmine explosions and explosions caused by explosive materials.
"Overall we registered at least 100 people who are killed or wounded every month," Mohammad Wakil, deputy head of UNMACA said.
UNMACA has said that 47 demining officers were killed or wounded during mine clearance mission in the country last year.
"In 2015, at least 47 of our personnel were killed or wounded. Ten of them killed and 37 others were wounded," he added.
He said that landmines and other explosive devices still threaten the lives of people in 33 provinces.
Abdul Wase is one civilian who lost a leg as a result of a mine explosion.
"When I visited the construction site of a building, an explosion occurred and I lost my leg," he said. (Tolonews)