Four teenagers died in the Abyei area when a rocket-propelled grenade detonated as they played with it, a week after NGOs launched a campaign in to raise awareness about the dangers of unexploded ordnance.

The four teens, aged 14 to 17, were from Relbaar village east of Agok. They had gone hunting when the found the grenade, according to village elder Kuol Bol Aguang speaking to a local radio station.

The elder said people in the area know there are unexploded devices in the bush and that the explosives are a big danger to children.

Afaf Arop Ajieng, a child protection officer with Save the Children Sweden which runs a mine risk education program, said the incident was “very painful" and that awareness sessions would be held in the area.

Afaf called on adults to warn young people of the dangers of unexploded grenades, landmines, and other explosive devices.

Related:

Landmines awareness campaign starts in Abyei (25 Feb.)

File photo: Abyei town