Five children seriously injured by wartime UXO

 
A tragic accident occurred in Hinlap village, Bualapha district, Khammuan province, last week where five boys were seriously injured when a long-buried cluster bomb exploded.
The incident took place as the children were digging for crabs in a wooded area about 72 metres from the main road in the village.
A report from the Office of the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector in the Lao PDR (NRA) said the boys were digging for crabs when they unearthed a small metallic object.
Unaware that it was a highly destructive BLU-26 cluster submunition, commonly known as a “bombie”, the children gathered around out of curiosity.
Moments later, the device exploded, causing devastating injuries to the boys, three of whom were aged eight and two were twelve years old.
Four of the children suffered life-changingwounds. One boy lost both eyes and is now permanently blind, while another lost his right hand.  The other child, who was standing further back, sustained mild injuries but remains deeply traumatised by the event.
At the provincial hospital, a tearful relative said”They were only digging for crabs. They were just playing like children do. Now one of them is blind. Why does this still happen? How long will these bombs continue to harm our children?”
The NRA, in coordination with local authorities and international operators including John Snow,Inc. (JSI) through the Medical Support Fund for UXO Victims in Laos, supported by the US Department of State, is facilitating medical treatment, psychological support, and assistance for the affected families.
So far this year there have been 11 UXO-related accidents in Laos, resulting in 21 casualties that have left 16 people injured and five dead.
These boys now join the thousands of Lao citizens who have been harmed by the legacy of war, over 40 percent of whom are children.
The BLU-26 involved in this incident is one of the more than 270 million cluster submunitions dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973. An estimated 30 percent, around 80 million, failed to detonate and remain scattered across the country, rendering vast areas hazardous for agriculture, daily activities, and community development.
This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat UXO poses to families and communities throughout Laos. It underscores the urgent need for continued cooperation and resource mobilisation from national stakeholders, development partners and donors to accelerate UXO clearance, provide more community education, and strengthen victim assistance.
The NRA urges all citizens to immediately report any suspicious objects to local authorities and strongly warns against touching or attempting to move them. Parents, teachers and community leaders are encouraged to reinforced explosive ordnance safety messages to children on a regular basis.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update November 26, 2025)