Unexploded bomb from Đờng Hới Airport safely eliminated during wartime.
In a significant operation, a bomb squad from PeaceTrees Việt Nam (PTVN) successfully removed a Mark 82 (MK82) bomb from Terminal No 2 of Đồng Hới Airport. The bomb, weighing 227kg, was buried 5m deep underground and was discovered during construction of the foundation section of the terminal.
The bomb squad worked in close cooperation with Quảng Trị Province Military Command to ensure the safe removal of the bomb. The operation took two hours to complete, and the bomb was moved to a store for demolition to avoid any interruptions to flights at the airport.
PTVN, an NGO from the US, has been working on UXO clearance in Quảng Trị province since 1995. The organisation operates the Danaan Parry Landmines Education Centre in Đông Hà, providing landmine awareness courses for local people, including children.
Thousands of hectares of landmine and UXO-contaminated land have been cleared by PTVN in the province. Since the beginning of this year, the organisation has successfully removed five large bombs. In addition to their clearance work, PTVN has granted scholarships for UXO survivors and launched support programs for the families of UXO survivors.
Moreover, PTVN has built schools and libraries for children and families in the province. Trees have been planted on safe land by PTVN in the province as part of their ongoing efforts to promote sustainable development and rehabilitation.
PeaceTrees Vietnam, along with other clearance teams like RENEW/NPA and Mines Advisory Group, has collectively conducted thousands of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) tasks in Quang Tri province since early 2021. According to the Quang Tri Mine Action Center and news updates, these mobile teams have carried out 7,589 EOD tasks responding to active threats and calls in the area, involving removal and destruction of various bombs and UXO.
However, the specific number of large bombs removed solely by PeaceTrees Vietnam since early 2021 is not explicitly detailed in the provided sources. For precise figures specifically attributable to PeaceTrees Vietnam regarding large bomb removals, more detailed reports directly from PeaceTrees Vietnam or the Quang Tri Mine Action Center would be needed.
The bomb discovered at Đông Hới Airport was left over from the Việt Nam War. The removal of the bomb is a testament to PTVN's commitment to ensuring the safety of local communities and infrastructure in Quảng Trị province.
AI-assisted news reports suggest that PeaceTrees Vietnam (PTVN) will air a documentary on the recent removal of a Mark 82 bomb from Terminal No 2 of Đông Hơːi Airport on TV, highlighting their ongoing efforts in UXO clearance and education. The documentary will also emphasize the importance of sports and teamwork in achieving such operations, as well as the organization's support for victims and survivors through scholarships and other programs. In the aftermath of the successful bomb removal, PTVN has announced plans to expand their activities, including increasing educational outreach and advancing research and development in war-affected areas to prevent future incidents, ensuring a safer environment for future generations.
