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BOMBS LEFTOVER FROM NATO BOMBING

30. August 2016.

Bujanovac – There are various types of mines, mainly antipersonnel ones, which remained from the 1999 bombing, at around another 10 locations in the municipalities of Presevo and Bujanovac. 

According to the data of the Centre for Demining of Serbia, the worst situation is in the vicinity of Bujanovac, Sjenica and Paracin. However, a variety of bombs and missiles can be found in other parts of the country - near Novi Sad, Backa Palanka, in the port of Pancevo, near Sabac, Valjevo, Cacak etc.  

Although it was believed that Serbia was cleared of anti-personnel mines, which are banned, at least 10 locations in the municipalities of Bujanovac and Presevo were discovered in late 2009 on which there were various types of mines. They covered an area of ​​approximately 3.5 million square meters. Some of those locations have been cleaned, but it is suspected that there are mines in Bujanovac in the area of another two million square meters. 

The greatest threats to the citizens are cluster bombs, which are located in the area of another three million square meters. They explode at the slightest touch.  Therefore, they mustn’t be touched or moved. If you come across unexploded ordnance, call the police immediately.

During the 78 days of bombing in 1999, NATO dropped cluster bombs on hundreds of locations in 16 municipalities in Serbia, excluding the municipalities in Kosovo and Metohija. Mostly used were the bombs containing from 145 to 247 pieces of cluster munitions. Before falling to the ground, a large container bomb opens up and disperses smaller cluster bombs into the field, thus covering a vast area.

According to the data of the Center for Demining of Serbia, cluster bombs are still located in Serbia in an area of ​​three million square meters. 

Source: “Blic” daily, Bujanovac News and Coordination Body