‘Kuwaiti hurt as car hits mine’

‘Landmines still exist in desert’

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 2, (KUNA): Unexploded landmines may still exist in Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve (SANR), therefore, people should take extra precaution and report any suspicious objects to the authorities, said Chairperson of the Kuwait Voluntary Work Center (KVWC) Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday.

In a statement to KUNA on the sideline of an operation dismantling a recently discovered landmine, Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad warned trespassers of landmines or ordnance that might go off due to intrusive activities at the Reserve.

KVWC will not hesitate to prosecute trespassers through environmental law with the support of Environment Public Authority and the Ministry of Interior, she affirmed.

Meanwhile, a 23-year old Kuwaiti man sustained severe injury when his car exploded upon hitting a landmine believed to be a remnant of the Iraqi invasion at Khabari Al-Awazem in northern Kuwait.

The victim was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of Jahra Hospital for treatment.

A security source said security operatives and paramedics went to the scene shortly after the Operations Room of the Interior Ministry received information about the incident. The victim sustained deep wounds in the stomach and feet, so the rescue team dealt with him professionally.

The Interior Ministry has received 67 reports on the discovery of landmines since the rainstorm until Saturday, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources.

Sources confirmed the Engineering Department at the Ministry of Defense detonated the landmines.

Driver hurt:

A truck loaded with foodstuffs overturned on the Sixth Ring Road in the direction of Al-Jahra , causing injury to the driver, reports Annahar daily.

The foodstuffs were scattered all over the place, blocking the flow of traffic and partial closure of the road.

The Asian driver has been referred to the Farwaniya Hospital. Speeding was the cause of the accident, according to security sources.