Landmine deaths decline

AT least 3,956 people died last year because they stepped on a landmine or other unexploded devices left behind in war, advocacy groups said yesterday.

The total is the lowest number since counting began nearly a dozen years ago.

The report, issued at the United Nations by Mines Action Canada, Human Rights Watch and other groups, cited the casualty rate and record amount of contaminated land cleared of mines as major progress toward a landmine-free world.

India, Burma and Pakistan are believed to be the only three nations still making anti-personnel mines, and military-ruled Burma was the only government confirmed as using them, the report said.