PHNOM PENH, July 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 people were killed by landmines and unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in Cambodia during the first six months of 2016, compared to 11 deaths over the same period last year, according to an official report on Thursday.
Besides the deaths, some 29 others were injured during the January-June period this year, compared to 55 people over the same period last year, said the report from the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority.
It said that some 43 landmine and UXO accidents were recorded in the first half of this year, down 14 percent over the same period last year.
The latest incident occurred on July 10 in southeastern Tboung Khmum province when UXO exploded, leaving two boys dead and their friend injured.
Cambodia is one of the most landmine-affected countries in the world. An estimated 4 to 6 million landmines and other munitions were left over from nearly three decades of war that ended in 1998.
The Southeast Asian country needs about 338 million U.S. dollars within 10 years to entirely get rid of all types of mines and explosive remnants of the war, according to the government.
