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"It was the technical quality provided by MAG, together with the strong coordination between MAG and relevant agencies, that made the hard task complete" - Bui Xuan Hoang, holding one of the pieces of the bomb after the demolition. [Photo: Dan Tri online] |
MAG has demolished a 500-pound bomb that local fishermen found embedded in a coral reef at the seaside resort of Da Nhay in Quang Binh province, central Vietnam. It was the first time MAG Vietnam had ever dealt with an underwater item of unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Thirty families from the surrounding area were temporarily evacuated and road traffic was stopped on the Ly Hoa mountain pass section of National Highway Number 1 as MAG set up the demolition that took place earlier this month.
This bomb was much more challenging to destroy, because underwater is an environment that involves other complexities. Depending on the tide, the bomb sometimes laid just two meters underwater, while the weather added to the challenge, as a strong wind created rough seas.
"It was really tough but, technically, we've learned a lot from this new experience. We did it, and we did it well," said Mr. Bui Xuan Hoang, supervisor of the Mine Action Team involved.
Excited onlookers surrounded MAG Vietnam's Technical Operations Coordinator, Mr. Tran Xuan Thang, after the detonation, which took place in close cooperation with the local Military Commanding Unit and the district People's Committee. "They repeatedly asked me how MAG could do it!" he said. "I told them that we are confident to handle this kind of task if it arises again."
Da Nhay is in Bo Trach district, which is also home to Phong Nha-Ke Bang national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
MAG commenced work in the district in 2004 and conducted various mobile operations and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tasks with funding from the US Department of State's Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement. So far, the teams have cleared 17,614 square meters of land, removing approximately 13,000 items of UXO.