Mine explosions leave 5 dead in 2014
By Amina Nazarli
Some 15 cases of mine and ammunition explosions were reported in Azerbaijan last year, said Khafiz Safikhanov, the Chairman of the “Azerbaijani Campaign Against Mines” on January 13.
He said that four soldiers and one civilian died and eight civilians and 12 soldiers were injured by the explosions.
The chairman noted that the explosions were registered in Gazakh, Agdam, Tovuz, Fuzuli, TerTer. Geychay, Absheron regions as well as in Nakhchivan and Sumgayit.
Earlier, Safikhanov noted that because of a program on mine risk education implemented in the frontal zone, the number of civilians who fell victim to mine explosions decreased to zero in 2014.
He noted that although Azerbaijan has not joined yet the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the country follows the items of these documents.
Azerbaijan carries out demining operations and implements education programs in connection with the mine. Trainings courses for employees of relevant structures of neighboring countries are also being conducted. The funds being allocated from the state budget for this work is increasing every year.