Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM1939
2006-08-14 17:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

Juba: UNMIS Driver Seriously Injured by UXO

Tags:  ASEC KHDP MOPS UN SU 
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VZCZCXRO0325
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1939 2261755
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141755Z AUG 06 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4151
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0003
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001939 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KHDP MOPS UN SU
SUBJECT: Juba: UNMIS Driver Seriously Injured by UXO

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001939

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KHDP MOPS UN SU
SUBJECT: Juba: UNMIS Driver Seriously Injured by UXO


1. On August 8, an UNMIS driver from Bangladesh was injured when he
stepped on a grenade that UNDSS believes remained from the war. The
site of the accident was an open field directly across the road from
the John Garang grave site and memorial, just a few hundred yards
from the seat of the Government of Southern Sudan. The field had
been used as parking for SPLA soldiers that were living in a nearby
encampment. It also served as parking for the frequent events at
the memorial. No previous injuries from unexploded ordinance (UXO)
had occurred in the area.


2. The UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) officer
investigating the incident reports that the car was parked about 10
yards off the road, and that the grenade was less than a foot from
the right rear tire. The driver stepped on the grenade while he was
waiting by the car and was blown backward. The explosion also
flattened both tires of the car, a Nissan Patrol, and blew out the
right-rear window. The Bangladeshi driver will survive, but both of
his legs have been amputated and he may lose his left arm. The car
remained at the site as a Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) demining team
cleared the area.


3. The UNDSS officer wondered why neither the SPLA nor any of the
demining agencies had identified this site as potentially dangerous
considering it was home to a large Sudanese Armed Forces encampment
during the war. Other sources note that the area was once cordoned
off, but that locals had removed the barriers and markers so they
could use the land. The UNDSS officer said that a quick visual
inspection of the area during his investigation revealed several
other UXOs. He was also surprised that no one had been previously
hurt in the field, considering its level of use. He commented that
this shows how dangerous an environment Southern Sudan can be and
said it was a good reminder why they caution people to not stray too
far off the road.

HUME