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AFGHANISTAN |
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More Minefield Pictures from AfghanistanThe image files are 80-130 kbytes each because we are anxious to make sure that the full quality of these photographs can be retained for you to view them. Each image will open in a new window. You can click on a link and view the rest of this page, or other images, while you wait for the new image to arrive. See also: Set 1 - more photos from the demining agencies Set 2 - more photos from the demining agencies Set 4 - Photos near Jalalabad (Smith) January 2002 Update: Kabul UXO Problems
All these photos were taken near Herat by Fredrick Palsson, Technical Adviser, mine Action Program Afghanistan. 1. Overall view of site where most of the work involves deep excavation for mines. The building complex was occupied by defenders and heavily mined then and afterwards. During fighting the roof and walls were badly damaged. Rain has compacted to rubble into a hard matrix containing mines and UXO. This is being excavated entirely by hand tools.
Click for full-size picture (up to130 kb) bbClick for full-size picture 2. View across site showing tools, and close-up of excavation tool set
Click for full-size picture (up to130 kb) bbClick for full-size picture (up to130 kb) 3. Excavation work. Deminers have to check each location for digging with a metal detector. This is tedious because of high frag density from exploded shells. If any metal is present they work with extreme caution. Even if no metal is detected they are still cautious.
Click for full-size picture (up to130 kb) bbClick for full-size picture
Click for full-size picture (up to130 kb) bbClick for full-size picture 4. Marking around work still to be done (white stones) and piles of excavated material which need to be moved again (right)
Click for full-size picture (up to130 kb) bbClick for full-size picture (up to130 kb) 5. HALO Trust in Kabul have experimented with this large loader and crusher unit. The crusher processes rubble: a magnetic separator removes metal, mines and UXO. This is effective for open areas and produces building material. However, most of the work is inside houses and walls cannot be demolished because they are the only records of property ownership.
Click for full-size picture (up to130 kb) bbClick for full-size picture 6. Demining procedure.....This shows the start of a manual demining lane. Two ropes define the lane boundaries and these are pulled out as the deminer advances. Note that the prodding is done by the deminer in the prone position. Accident data and anecdotal evidence suggests that deminers squat for much of the time when they are not being watched by visitors.
Click for full-size picture (up to130 kb) bbClick for full-size picture 7. Working with dogs. Here, in the first picture, one deminer is checking a dog indication with his detector while the other deminer is returning for a rest. After a few minutes the deminer is using his small pick to excavate the tough material to a depth of about 30 cm. After finding the target, the dog starts checking again (third picture). The dog will sit to indicate a target (4th picture). Here the dogs are working a narrow lane around the building. This is probably the start of an area to be checked extending away from the building. The red painted mark designates the start point for this minefield (SP).
8. PMN mine uncovered by deminer. The mine has been exposed only on the side, according to the correct procedure. Only enough of the mine is exposed for positive identification. It will be destroyed in place.
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