Deaths and casualties from unexploded ordnance are down significantly this year as compared with the same period in 2012, according to eight-month figures released by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre.

UXO deaths dropped nearly 30 per cent from 2012 – down from 26 deaths in the first eight months of last year, to 19 deaths over the same period this year.

The drop in injuries was even more dramatic, with only 64 people injured over the course of the recording period this year, as opposed to 101 last year.

Heng Ratana, director-general of CMAC, said the reduction in casualties could be attributed to many factors.

“It could be due to our people having a better understanding of landmines, or the acceleration of removal, or explosions, and that we prioritise work on known mined areas,” he said.