The Falklands Are Free of Landmines… After 38 Years

The estimated 13,000 landmines left on the beaches of the Falklands have been entirely removed 38 years after the war between the UK and Argentina, allowing the population to finally reclaim its seashores.

“All the mine signposts were a constant reminder of what happened but now they are all away, it’s another return to normality,” says Welsh-born doctor Barry Elsby who is one of the islands’ eight members of the legislative assembly. “We never thought the islands would be completely mine free, so this is a momentous change. More importantly, no-one has been seriously harmed doing this. It speaks volumes for the teams that have been responsible for doing this over so many years.”

The demining program started in 2009 as part of the UK’s obligations under the international anti-personnel mine ban convention. The UK minister with responsibility for the Falklands, Wendy Morton, states that the government’s efforts to rid the world of fatal landmines don’t stop at the British overseas territory and its population. “A further £36m ($48m) of UK funding will allow demining projects across the world to continue, protecting innocent civilian lives.”