A bomb exploded on April 10 during construction work taking place on a section of National Highway 1A in Nghi Yen commune, Nghi Loc district, in the central province of Nghe An. The blast caused long and deep cracks on the highway, which seriously affected the flow of traffic. No fatalities were reported. Although the kind and size of the bomb has not yet been established, it is likely to have been left over from the last war. Dinh Dac Khanh, Deputy Head of the Nghe An province Transport Project Management Board, said that the investor has asked all the contractors and supervisors to work closely with the provincial traffic police and other agencies to guard the site and ensure it is safe to travel along this part of the road. They will then ask the bomb disposal team to search the rest of the section and take the appropriate measures, he added. Incomplete statistics show that over 42,130 people have died and 62,160 others have been injured by bombs and mines left over from the war, placing a huge burden on many families and the rest of society. The area affected by unexploded ordnance accounts for over 20% of Vietnam, causing many difficulties for businesses and local people. (Vietnamplus.vn April 11)
