The unexploded bomb was unearthed in Lâm Đồng Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

LÂM ĐỒNG — The Military High Command in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng’s Đạ Huoai District is working with agencies to transport a wartime bomb recently unearthed by residents, for safe detonation.

The explosive device was detected on Wednesday when an excavator was used at its location.

Leftover by the US during the war, the bomb, whose detonator remains intact, is over 1.6m long, has a diameter of 30cm, and weighs more than 250kg.

In addition to the disposal of the bomb, forces will conduct a search of the surrounding area, looking for explosives still underground to ensure people's safety.

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Việt Nam is one of the countries most contaminated with unexploded ordnances (UXOs).

It is estimated that about 800,000 tonnes of UXOs were left across the country after the war ended in 1975, mostly in the central region. Some 6.13 million hectares of land are polluted with or suspected of being polluted with UXOs, accounting for 18.82 per cent of the country’s total area.

Since 1975, UXO incidents have killed more than 40,000 people and injured 60,000 others, most of whom were breadwinners of their families or children. — VNS