Sharp increase in anti-vehicle mine incidents 

Switzerland: Eighty-six accidents related, or that are suspected to be related, to anti-vehicle mines (AVMs) were recorded in 18 countries during the first six months of 2015.


Despite anti-personnel mines being outlawed, the use of anti-vehicle mines has been regulated, but not prohibited (photo: kaninstudio / 123RF)

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) say these accidents resulted in 306 casualties – 109 fatalities, 197 injuries – representing sharp increase compared to 2013 data when 212 casualties from 13 countries/territories were reported over 12 months. The most severe accident involved a civilian bus and caused 32 casualties in Mali in April 2015.

In recent years, some countries and territories have seen an increase in AVM casualties such as Mali or Pakistan. In Cambodia in 2010, total casualties from AVMs exceeded those from anti-personnel mines for the first time.

Despite anti-personnel mines being outlawed by the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the use of AVMs has been regulated, but thus far not prohibited. “AVM contamination is a global threat with 59 countries and territories having recorded casualties from 1999-2013,” says the GICHD.