Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Landmine casualties hit 4-year high
Landmines and unexploded bombs are causing more harm than they have in four years.
Most of the people hurt or killed are civilians, especially women and children.
This is happening because countries like Syria and Myanmar are using more landmines in their conflicts.
Also, some European countries are leaving a treaty that bans landmines, which makes the problem worse.
These countries say they need landmines to protect themselves from threats.
But activists argue that landmines hurt innocent people long after wars end.
There is also less money to help victims and clear the landmines, making the situation even harder.
Landmine casualties hit a four-year high in 2024, with 6,000 incidents recorded, including 1,945 deaths and 4,325 injuries.
Nearly 90% of the casualties were civilians, with almost half being women and children.
The surge in casualties was driven by conflicts in Syria and Myanmar, both of which are outside the Mine Ban Treaty.
Several European countries, including Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, are exiting the treaty due to perceived military threats from Russia.
Ukraine also withdrew from the treaty to help slow Russian advances, and there are signs of new Ukrainian mine use.
- Who
- Civilians, primarily women and children, in conflict zones like Syria and Myanmar
- What
- A four-year high in landmine casualties, including deaths and injuries
- When
- In 2024, with data reported in December 2024
- Where
- Primarily in Syria and Myanmar, with global implications due to treaty withdrawals
- Why
- Due to increased use in conflict zones and withdrawals from the Mine Ban Treaty by several countries
- Total Incidents
- 6,000
- Total Deaths
- 1,945
- Total Injuries
- 4,325
- Civilians Affected
- 90%
- Women and Children Affected
- Almost half
- Countries with Highest Incidents
- Syria, Myanmar
- Treaty Signatories
- 166 states (85% of the world)
- Countries Exiting Treaty
- Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine