A local man from Ahtet Khacheemyaung village in Arakan State’s Minbya Township is receiving emergency medical treatment in hospital after losing his right leg stepping on a landmine on June 3.

The victim, identified as 25-year-old Maung Hla Tun, was severely injured in a landmine blast when he, along with another man, went to a hill near the village to cut bamboo, said relative of the victim U Maung Win.

“He [the victim] lost his right leg after he stepped on a landmine. He also sustained injuries to his body,” U Maung Win added.

Maung Hla Tun was immediately admitted to Minbya Hospital as his condition was considered life-threatening, said family members.

“We received a phone call from someone at around 10 p.m. yesterday, saying a patient needed emergency blood, so we went to the hospital,” said U Kyaw Soe Win, chairman of a local blood donor group in Minbya. “The patient received two emergency blood transfusions from us and three from his family. The patient is said to be in critical condition and is undergoing surgery.”

A 40-year-old man from Wethmine village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township who was severely injured in a landmine blast on July 1 succumbed to his injuries the following day while undergoing medical treatment at Sittwe General Hospital.

Though the conflict between the military and Arakan Army came to a halt toward the end of 2020, landmine casualties have continued with regularity in the months since.

As of July 4, six people have been killed and 18 others injured in encounters with landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs) in Arakan State so far this year, according to the Rakhine Ethnics Congress.