Mozambique declared free of landmines
Close to 171,000 landmines were removed, according to the Halo Trust, a British charity that led the clearance.
(Photo: Brent Stirton)
Mozambique has removed its last known landmine after two decades of work to get rid of the explosives.
Close to 171,000 landmines were removed, according to the Halo Trust, a British charity that led the clearance.
The charity says it is the first large mine-contaminated country to be completely cleared of mines.
The landmines were left after a long fight for independence followed by a civil war. Many were planted up until the 1990s.
The last mine was removed from the base of a railway bridge in the centre of the country.
Many were planted close to key structures, such as dams, bridges and electricity pylons. In all, 17million sq metres of land were cleared, areas that authorities now hope can be put to agricultural use.
Work continues on clearing mines in a number of other countries, including Sri Lanka, Laos, Angola and Colombia.
