More than 100 people die of landmine in Myanmar in 18 months

This photo taken late on April 26, 2016 shows German tourist Wiebke Roesler (L), who was injured in a landmine explosion in Myanmar's northeastern Shan State, being accompanied by Felix Zimmerman (R-standing) as she arrives at Mandalay hospital for treatment.[Photo/VCG]

YANGON - A total of 101 people have lost their lives due to landmine injury in 18 months since the start of 2015, official media quoted the Ministry of Health as reporting on Friday.

The majority of landmine fatalities are in Kachin state with 74, followed by Shan and Chin states with 14 and 11.

The list of landmine fatalities was compiled by the ministry from records sent by hospitals across the country.

Refugee camp staff in Kutkai, Shan state, revealed that internal displaced villagers are afraid of returning home despite the fact that fighting has subsided because of the presence of landmine planted within their villages with the absence of mine clearing yet.

Landmine victims died as a result of the initial explosion and injury sustained by pieces of shrapnel, the report added.