Two civilians suffered severe injuries resulting in leg amputations after stepping on landmines in Mrauk-U and Maungdaw Townships of Rakhine State. On March 19 at approximately 3 PM, a woman was injured by a landmine while foraging for vegetables near the foot of Kyein Mountain in Mrauk-U. The victim, identified as Daw San Win May, age 42, from Thyapyi Nyo Ward in Mrauk-U, lost her left leg below the knee in the incident.
According to a local resident of Mrauk-U, Daw San Win May regularly went out to gather vegetables, but on that day, she deviated from her usual route and went to a different area where she encountered the landmine. Additionally, in Maungdaw Township, Abdul Haleik, age 44, from Latha Ward, stepped on a landmine while fishing at Shwe Zar Creek on March 18 at around 1 PM. He also suffered an amputation of his left leg below the knee.
Currently, landmine explosions are occurring frequently in Thandwe, Mrauk-U, and Maungdaw Townships within Rakhine State, resulting in continuous civilian casualties and injuries. Local sources report that the military council had previously planted landmines in various locations including mountainous areas, buildings within towns, schools, and monasteries where they had stationed their troops.
Despite the Arakan Army (AA) conducting mine risk education sessions and issuing warnings about the dangers of unexploded ordnance, the number of casualties has been increasing compared to previous periods. Local residents have emphasized the need for enhanced mine clearance operations and more extensive mine awareness education programs in the region.
