{
  "id": 3876076,
  "title": "Landmines and remnants of war pose a serious threat, and more needs to be done to solve it",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/landmines-and-remnants-of-war-pose-a-serious-threat-and-more-needs-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T02:44:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/landmines-and-remnants-of-war-pose-a-serious-threat-and-more-needs-to-be-done-to-solve-it-289154"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent wildfires in Europe, driven by record-breaking heat and drought, have exposed a hidden threat - unexploded bombs and munitions left over from past conflicts. These remnants of war, known as Explosive Remnants of War (ERW), continue to pose a serious danger to millions worldwide. In southern France, a cache of 400 German and French shells from World War II detonated in the heat, forcing authorities to clear the area before residents could return. Similarly, low water levels in rivers across Europe have revealed unexploded munitions in several countries, including the Netherlands, Hungary, and Slovakia. However, these recent incidents are just the latest reminder of the enduring problem of ERW. Since the First World War, numerous conflicts have left battlefields littered with these dangerous munitions, affecting an estimated 100 million people across 60 countries as of 2025. ERW includes unexploded ordnance (UXO) - weapons that failed to detonate when deployed - and abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO) - munitions left behind after a conflict. Both categories can include a wide range of munitions, from artillery shells and mortars to grenades and bombs. Landmines, while legally distinct from ERW, are still a significant problem. Although laid deliberately during conflicts, their extensive use globally makes them one of the key explosive contaminants of war. As of 2024, 57 states and other areas remain contaminated by antipersonnel landmines, primarily in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Countries like Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Western Sahara have been heavily affected. The presence of ERW and landmines can have far-reaching consequences beyond immediate safety risks. They can restrict access to arable lands, impact soil and water quality, affect food security and diversity, and hinder economic development. Climate change exacerbates these issues, as floods can relocate and unearth landmines, and wildfires can detonate them unexpectedly. Even the dropping water levels in rivers and lakes can expose civilians to greater risks by allowing access to contaminated riverbeds. Despite efforts to clear remnants of war, recent events serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat they pose. In 2024 alone, over 6,000 people were killed or injured by landmines and ERW, with most casualties being civilians in 52 countries. While some countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Denmark, have completed mine clearance, many others still face significant challenges. The use of anti-personnel mines continues in conflicts like the war in Ukraine, and several European nations have withdrawn from treaties designed to prohibit their use. International organizations and military-led operations are working to clear these dangers, but the threat of ERW and landmines remains a critical concern that requires an integrated approach to address.",
  "summary": "Landmines from wars can stay hidden and a threat for decades. Climate change is making the risk even greater.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}