VIENTIANE (XINHUA) – Over 18,000 hectares of land in northern Laos’ Xieng Khuang province have been cleared of unexploded ordnance (UXO), mostly agricultural land and areas slated for future development, with 599,992 unexploded devices removed and rendered harmless.
Progress achieved in this field was reported to representatives of Laos’ development partners during their visit to Xieng Khuang province, some 180 kilometres northeast of Lao capital Vientiane, from Wednesday to Friday, Lao News Agency reported yesterday.
The Deputy Governor of Xieng Khuang province Sivilay Sengchaleun said Xieng Khuang is one of the provinces that was most heavily bombed during the Indochina War (1964-1973).
There are still unexploded bombs in many areas, including on farmland, which pose a continuing threat to local communities.
