Landmine blast kills child, injures brother in Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – A child was killed and his brother injured on Saturday when a landmine left behind from previous conflicts exploded in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.
A local source from the town of al-Suwar, north of Deir ez-Zor, told North Press that the landmine detonated while two brothers were handling it and attempting to dismantle it near their home in the village of al-Buneital in eastern Deir ez-Zor.
According to the source, the explosion killed eight-year-old Abbas al-Mousa and left his older brother with injuries of varying severity.
The source added that the village periodically witnesses similar incidents and continues to lose children to landmine explosions, as explosive remnants of war remain widespread across the area.
Despite repeated appeals to clear the mines, residents say little progress has been made in removing the deadly hazards, which continue to pose a threat to civilians.