Gold seekers killed in explosion in Darfur’s East Jebel Marra

Two gold seekers were killed at Mashrou Abu Zeid in East Jebel Marra on Wednesday, when an explosive device, supposedly unexploded ordnance remaining from conflict in the area, detonated as they were digging. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that Abdelnabi Musa Eisa and Suleiman Yagoub Adam were searching for gold using an electronic detector. At about 2 pm, the gold detector’s alarm sounded and they began to dig. Shortly afterwards, there was an explosion which killed both men instantly. Years of conflict have left Darfur littered with potentially deadly explosives and munitions (UXO). Radio Dabanga appeals to listeners throughout Darfur (and elsewhere in our reception area) not to touch any ‘unexploded’ grenades or other ammunition found in the field. Mark its position clearly to alert others, and report it immediately to a camp elder, Unamid and/or the local police. File photo: 30 January 2014. El Fasher: A display of ordnance disposals at the Unamid headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur – just a tiny sample of debris of war that litters Darfur (Albert González Farran / Unamid) Related: Boys lose hands, legs as UXO detonates in North Darfur (15 June 2014)Maimed North Darfur boys need medical aid after explosion (13 June 2014)Two children killed, three maimed by ammunition in South Darfur (13 May 2014)Grenade kills two in Darfur’s Jebel Marra (1 May 2014)Two more maimed by UXO in North Darfur (21 April 2014)One of three Darfur child bomb victims dies, two cling to life (20 April 2014)Three Darfur children maimed after playing with bomb (16 April 2014)