13:40, 3 March 2004

Number of people falling victims to landmines in Chechnya increases

Two women were killed in a landmine explosion in the Achkhoy-Martan district in the morning on March 2. A group of women who were picking damsons in the forest reportedly hit an antitank mine. Two of them died on the scene, four got injuries of different severity.

"Names of the killed and suffered women and exact details of the incident have not known yet," said a duty police officer. "Now a lot of Chechens pick damsons, which is a source of temporary income for them. It is the most likely reason why the number of incidents when people fall victims to landmines, especially in foothills and highlands, has increased considerably."

Editors note: See also the article "Death toll from truck explosion in Assinovskaya village reaches 10".

Source: Society for Russian-Chechen Friendship