A view of a village in the Bekaa valley. (Credit: Joseph Eid/AFP file photo)
BEIRUT – A mine accidentally exploded on Saturday in an area between the towns of Arab al-Mawali and Chamsine, in Lebanon's eastern mountain range in the Bekaa, severely injuring a man.
The explosion caused a loud detonation near the Syrian border.
According to the state-run National News Agency, the Civil Defense, Lebanese Army Intelligence and security agents were deployed to the scene and an investigation has been opened.
The explosions of mines scattered in Lebanon are remnants of the 1975-1990 civil war and other conflicts with Israel, but can still cause human casualties today.
Mine clearance operations conducted by the UN and Lebanese Army have cleared many of these devices, but many more remain active.