"Pokemon Go" players, particularly those in Southeast Asia, have to be more careful when playing. The U.S. State Department cautioned "Pokemon Go" trainers not to step on land mines while searching for Pokemon.
The warning applies to "Pokemon Go" players living in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs of the U.S. State Department posted a message on Twitter on Aug. 15, 2016, stating that "Pokemon Go" players in the three countries should beware of landmines or anything that appears like an old bomb or they might step on one and accidentally blow themselves up.
The hashtag #UXO was added, which means "unexploded ordnance," which refers to various explosives that were used but not yet detonated. The tweet also included a "Pokemon Go" screenshot of a man sweeping for landmines and a Pidgey in the foreground.
TIME noted that it is still uncertain why the Bureau, which collaborates with The Pentagon, posted the tweet. There are actually several unexploded ordnances in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia due to American forces planting them there 50 years ago during wartime. The U.S. Department may be concerned about how people in different parts of the world are becoming more active and venturing into remote areas to play "Pokemon Go," which also means that the current generation may step into old dangers.
The Telegraph reported that in July 2016, a charity in Bosnia also warned "Pokemon Go" players to steer clear of areas known to contain several unexploded landmines. The explosives were planted between 1992 and 1995 during the Bosnian War. Hundreds of people have died from mine-related accidents after the war and there are still about 120,000 mines that remain in the ground.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned travelers not to go to places that used to be or are close to former lines of conflict. "Pokemon Go" players were advised to respect demarcation signs and to stay away from unknown areas. "Pokemon Go" players from other countries who travel to Bosnia were also told to stay on paved areas and roads. They should avoid the open countryside, destroyed and abandoned buildings and un-tarred woods and villages, since these may still have landmines. More updates and details on "Pokemon Go" are expected soon.
