Cuito – Nine people died and four others were injured, in the province of Bié, during the year 2023, as a result of seven mine accidents and illicit handling of unexploded explosive devices.
The information was provided to ANGOP, on Wednesday, by the information officer of the National Mine Action Agency (ANAM) in this province, Ismael Brito, when he was taking stock of the activities carried out by this institution.
Compared to the previous year, there was an increase of two fatalities with the same number of accidents.
The municipality of Cuito registered two accidents, the same number as in Chinguar, while the municipalities of Andulo, Cunhinga and Cuemba reported one each.
In addition to the fatalities, the mines also caused the destruction of a seeding machine.
During the year under review, 33,776 people, mainly from rural communities, were sensitized by demining operators (National Demining Center and Halo Trust) about the risks that mines pose.
This awareness-raising action, through education, prevention and signaling of areas suspected of contamination with mines, constitutes one of the challenges that intends to continue this year, to reduce accident rates, according to ANAM's information officer in this province, Ismael Brito. AS/PLB/CF/DOJ
