Three Seriously Injured by Land Mines Explode in Unity State

Bonifacio Taban Kuich

12 May 2011

Bentiu — On Thursday morning a group of vehicles leaving from an oil field south of Bentiu, the capital of Unity state, struck land mines believed to have been planted by rebels loyal to Peter Gatdet near Dhorbour. Three people were injured, including an Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) soldier, when the two oil company vehicles struck land mines.

Peter Gadet is a former SPLA general and now head of the South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA), which is causing unrest in Unity state.

The incident took place near Dhorbour, twenty kilometres south of the capital of Unity state around 8.00am on 11 May. Sources say the two trucks belong to the Heavy Transportation Company (HTC) and were working for the PETRONAS oil company, based in Tharjath.

The victims caught by the landmine include two drivers, one from Somalia and one from the Philippines. In addition a 28 year old soldier from the SPLA, was wounded by a land mine while inspecting the blast site on foot. All three are being treated in Bentiu Hospital for injuries that are described as serious.

Simon Gatdiet Nhial is a HTC driver who was in the truck convoy that hit the mines. He spoke to Sudan Tribune from Bentiu hospital.

“When we reached agricultural fields of Governor Taban, where the mines are laid on the road. It first caught a truck driven by a Philippino.” He explaiend that those who came out from the truck trying to see what is happening” suffered the most injuries.

Recent clashes between the SPLA and the SSLA rebels in Mayom County left over of 58 land mines planted by forces loyal to Peter Gatdet.

The state minister of information and communication Gideon Gatpan Thoar told Sudan Tribune on 11 May that SPLA intelligence had removed all the mines.

Thoar said the militia attacks all over Unity state are becoming a serious threat to the citizens of the state and that the SPLA will track the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

AllAfrica – All the Time