COLOMBO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Two female de-mining workers were severely injured when a landmine accidentally exploded in Muhamalai, Kilinochchi in northern Sri Lankan on Thursday evening, local media reported Friday.
The workers, working for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), were involved in landmine clearing operations when a landmine accidentally exploded, causing severe injuries to their heads and chests.
The workers were rushed to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital in the north and are receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The workers are 25 and 26 years of age.
The police are conducting further investigations.
Following the end of the country's 30-year civil conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009, the Sri Lanka Army together with some local and international de-mining organizations have been engaged in de-mining activities in the north and east of the country.
According to the army, a total of 2,064 acres of land in the country, mostly in the north and east, remains to be cleared from landmines and explosives.
