Two HELP-deminers, one policeman and
two fishermen killed
Yesterday afternoon a 32-year old swedish
HELP-supervisor, a 36-year old bosnian deminer and one policeman were killed,
because of a severe and tragic mine-accident. Two days earlier another
accident had happened at the same place. At that time two local fisherman
at the age of 46 and 34 were killed by a mine.
The accidents occurred between Gorazde und Rogatica about 80 km east of Sarajevo. Two fishermen were missing for three days in this region. The fishermen were found dead late on Wednesday evening. Obviously they were seeking shelter from a thunder-storm in a tunnel, when they hit a hidden mine. The local police called HELP-deminers for assistance in order to save the dead bodies. The deminers immediately closed the tunnel and the way to the bodies was cleared. When trying to save and remove the dead bodies the second mine-accident happened, because an unexploded mine was hidden next to the body of one fishermen. When removing the body this mine exploded. The local Mine-Action Center of the United Nations has started an investigation.
HELP mourns for the victims. Our deep sympathy is with their families and friends.
As a consequence of the war there still are left millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance in Bosnie-Herzegovina. The number of mine accidents has increased considerably during the last months.
The German charity organisation HELP is engaged in humanitarian demining since 1997. More than 500 people are working in demining projects of HELP worldwide. Yesterday's accident is the first one that ended deadly.