Fewer landmines than estimated

Washington - The world is littered with far fewer antipersonnel landmines than previously estimated, according to a US report…

Washington - The world is littered with far fewer antipersonnel landmines than previously estimated, according to a US report released yesterday, which also said the problem can be overcome in years rather than decades.

While previous estimates put the number of landmines in place in the world at between 80 and 110 million, the latest study puts the number closer to 60 to 70 million, or 30 to 50 per cent lower than originally estimated, the report by the State Department said.