14/02/2024 Laos
“If you ever come across anything suspicious like this item, please do not pick it up, contact your local law and/or enforcement agency for assistance”.
In the verdant hills of Laos, the echoes of the past still reverberate violently. Between 1964 and 1973, the United States, in its clandestine involvement in the Vietnam War, dropped over 266 million bombs on this unsuspecting nation. A chilling testament to the scale of this aerial onslaught, over 80 million of these lethal devices failed to detonate, continuing to haunt the landscapes and lives of the people of Laos.
The Unseen Threat
The specter of unexploded ordnance (UXO) cast a long, menacing shadow over the everyday life of the Laotian people. A recent incident, where a landmine explosion injured six individuals during cassava planting, underscores this persistent threat. With UXO hindering agriculture and development, the impact is far beyond physical; it’s an insidious impediment to the nation’s economic growth and prosperity.
A Legacy of War
The bombs that lay dormant in the Laotian soil are a grim inheritance from a bygone era. Yet, they serve as a stark reminder of a war that was fought not just in the jungles of Vietnam, but across the borders, in the homes and fields of innocent civilians. The scale of the bombings was such that it translates to a planeload of bombs being dropped every eight minutes, 24 hours a day, for nine years.
Enduring Impact
The unexploded bombs of Laos are not merely relics of a forgotten war; they are active threats that continue to claim lives and limbs. The challenge of de-mining is enormous, with large swathes of the country still contaminated. As Laos grapples with its explosive legacy, the world must not forget the devastating impact of a war fought half a century ago, and the responsibility it holds in aiding its recovery.
Biography of a Bomb
Dear editors, Biography of a bomb is aimed at highlighting the danger caused by unexploded bombs. Moreover, the most important aspect is that we work completely non profit, what drives us is raising awerness about this topic. We make use of your pictures and articles, but we need them to put a context in how findings are done. We trust in your understanding. We will (and we always do) cite the source and the author. We thank you for your comprehension.
