Mozambique blows up landmines

Mozambique blew up thousands of guns and landmines yesterday in the biggest single act of destruction of arms in an 11-year-old programme to rid the region of its civil war-era weapons.

The huge explosion destroyed some 3400 rifles, mines, rocket launchers and other weapons, sending shrapnel high into the air in a blast that could be felt by journalists 2km from the site near Bilene, north of the capital Maputo.

Mozambique launched operation Rachel with neighbouring South Africa to prevent weapons left after Mozambique's civil war ended in 1992 from reaching criminals.