Child killed, another injured in landmine blast in Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – A child was killed and another injured on Thursday when a landmine left over from previous fighting exploded in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.
A local source from the village of Hurayza told North Press that the device detonated after two children found the landmine, brought it near their family home and attempted to tamper with it in an effort to dismantle it.
The explosion killed 13-year-old Hani al-Abdullah and injured his 10-year-old sister, Nouf al-Abdullah, according to the source.
The two children are originally from the city of Safirah in the Aleppo countryside and have been living with their family in Hurayza for several years.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance from years of conflict continue to pose a serious threat to civilians across Syria, particularly in former front-line areas in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.