Bosnia is still struggling with clearing its land from the mines left after the 1992-95 war, the Mine Action Centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina said Thursday, ahead of the International Mine Awareness Day, observed on April 4.

The Mine Action Centre warned that this serious problem still directly affects the safety of citizens and socio-economic development in the country.

“In many settlements schools are located near minefields, and children often pass exactly by those signs that warn about the presence of mine danger in those areas. This is why it is of utmost importance to respect the signs that warn about the mines and one should under no circumstances pass behind them,” said the Centre, advising the citizens to immediately inform the police or civil protection services if they notice mine in their surrounding.

Over 1,700 persons were injured by mines or explosive devices in Bosnia in the post-war period, of which 614 died. Only in 2018, three incidents caused by mines were recorded in the country including casualties.