A view of the Thach Loi stone mine. — VNA/VNS Photo Ngoc Minh

The explosion happened at the Thach Loi stone mine in Duc Manh Commune, Dak Mil District. Quach Van Luong, 39, from Dak Lak Province, was killed, while Le Van Tuan, 52, residence unknown, was seriously injured.

The explosion also destroyed three tents near the mine.

The owner of the mine has been named as Thach Kim Minh, 52, from Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province. Minh hired Luong and Tuan to work at the mine as explosive experts.

Tuan is undergoing treatment at the General Hospital in Dak Lak.

Authorities withdrew the licence for the mine in April this year, but local residents said it had continued to operate.

It could take 100 years to be free of explosives: official

Colonel Nguyen Hanh Phuc, deputy director-general of the Viet Nam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC), speaks to Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspapers on Vietnam’s efforts to deactivate bombs and mines left over from the wars.

VNS