A woman was killed and two others injured after stepping on a landmine while foraging for food in a jungle in Burma’s conflict-racked Rakhine State.

 

A family member of the victim told NMG that San San Aye, who is 19-years-old and from Van Vee village, went to collect vegetables in Ponnagyun Township with five others.

 

The relative heard the explosion hours before learning of the tragic news.

Because it happened so far from Van Vee, "she died on the way to the village when the others were carrying her back."   

 

Ma Htwe and Lapyae Ma both suffered injuries to their elbows and face and are receiving medical treatment at Yotayok Hospital.

 

Khin Maung Latt, a parliamentarian for Ponnagyun Township, said that because villagers often collect food and firewood from the jungle, mine accidents often occur, causing many injuries and sometimes death.

 

There are military camps in the area, he said, and fighting between the Burma Army and Arakan Army (AA).

 

"That shouldn't have happened. The government needs to provide mine awareness training (for civilians) and provide demining equipment," Khin Maung Latt told NMG.

 

Fighting between Burma Army and AA intensified between the end of 2018 and 2019.

 

No one knows how many mines remain in the township or which side is responsible for planting the one that killed San San Aye.