ArmInfo. Members of the US Congressional Committee on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone, Jackie Spier and David Valadao, Adam Schiff and Brad Sherman made statements in connection with the death and injury caused by the explosion of mines by HALO Trust employees.
According to the press service of the Armenian Assembly of America, the congressmen expressed their condolences to the families and friends of the deceased sappers.
"Despite the fact that there are always risks associated with unexploded ordnance during de-mining, I am deeply saddened by the news of this terrible incident." I express my condolences to the families of these people. I hope that the investigators of Artsakh will quickly understand the circumstances of the incident. their counterparts in Congress, to ensure that the demining activities continue unhindered and as secure as possible, "Pallone said. In his turn, Speer stated that the people of Artsakh continue to suffer from the devastating consequences of the war with the highest level of incidents from landmines per capita in the world, one third of which are related to children. He stressed that he will continue to contribute to the activities of the HALO Trust in Artsakh.
On March 29, three employees of the HALO Trust-engaged in the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance, died in Nagorno-Karabakh during the demining work, and two others were injured. As a result of the explosion Pavel Akopov, Marat Petrosyan and Samson Avanesyan were killed. Two more sappers Aram Mkrtchyan and Garik Gokhiryan were injured. Doctors assess their condition as difficult.
HALO Trust is a British charity and American non-profit organization that deals with the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance that could pose a threat to civilians. HALO is an abbreviation of the Hazardous Area Life-Support Organization. Founded in 1988 by a member of the British Parliament and former Colonel Colin Campbell Mitchell. The staff of HALO Trust has more than 7000 sappers. Her staff worked in Nagorno-Karabakh, Cambodia, Mozambique, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Eritrea, Abkhazia, Chechnya, Kosovo, Angola and Afghanistan.