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UNMEE MACC Update 27 Mar 2001

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS RECEIVED BY UNMEE MACC
1. Slovak Demining Company has started de-mining activities in Tkul area, NW of Mai Min in the western area of Sector Central; it is now estimated that this will take longer than originally anticipated. Demining should be complete in Tkul by 30 Mar 01. (Gash Barka Zone, Shambuko Sub-zone).

2. On 11 March 01 an incident occurred at Giasha, 2 Km east of Senafe, Grid Reference BD 491 253, when a mine or UXO explosion resulted in the loss of three fingers from the left hand of a six year old boy. The explosive device was originally found at another location, Grid Reference not given. (Debub Zone, Senafe Sub-zone)

3. In another incident, which occurred on 16 March 01, two boys were seriously injured. An object reported as a landmine detonator cap was found at Grid Reference BD 452 240. The boys saw a long silver object with a red tip, pulled it down and it exploded. (Debub Zone, Senafe Sub-zone)

4. The following priority tasks have been given to Slovak Demining Company for upcoming road mine-clearance:

  1. Antore to Omhajer (Approx. 75 km, estimated duration of task 15 ? 20 days). (Gash Barka Zone, Omhajer Sub-zone)
  2. Awgaro to Tokombia, a road leading south of river Gash (15 km, estimated duration of task 3 - 4 days). (Gash Barka Zone, Laelay Gash and Gogne Sub-zones)
  3. Shilalo to Badme, the new connection found by UNMOs (30 km, estimated duration of task 7 days). (Gash Barka Zone, Laelay Gash Sub-zone)
  4. Tokombia to Sitona (55 km, estimated duration of task 14 -16 days). (Gash Barka Zone, Laelay Gash Sub-zone)

On 17 March HALO Trust completed a Battle Area Clearance of 54,200 square metres of ground adjacent to Korokon IDP camp, Grid Reference 37 P 0389242 UTM 1667693. 249 x BL755 sub-munitions were destroyed during the task. In addition to this task, 77 items of UXO were destroyed at Asmara on 23 March.

6. The following areas were recently surveyed.

  • 17 March. Danger Area (UXO). 11km east of Barentu, adjacent to the Barentu-Korokon road. (Gash Barka Zone, Barentu Sub-zone)
  • 19 March. Danger Area (UXO). 4km west of Agordat, adjacent to the main Barentu - Keren road.
  • 19 March. Danger Area (mines). Adjacent to the road between Hykota and Gogne.

The following areas were recently marked.

  1. 18 March. Danger area (mines) marked approximately 3km south of Tesseney adjacent to the Guluj - Tesseney road.
  2. 19 March. Danger area (mines) marked adjacent to the main Tesseney to Barentu road.

ALL MAP AND GRID REFERENCES IN THIS REPORT ARE BASED ON RUSSIAN MILITARY TOPOGRAPHIC SERIES MAPS, AT 1:100,000 SCALE