Belgian soldiers were exposed to toxic fumes in Mali, De Morgen revealed on Saturday. The ACMP military union has received 21 reports thus far.
Since April, the union has been collecting testimonies from soldiers who have health problems after serving in Afghanistan. Between 2008 and 2012, nearly 2,000 Belgian soldiers were exposed to noxious fumes from open burning areas called "burn pits". One hundred files have been opened so far, but new cases are coming in every week.
The ACMP notes that the problem is not limited to Afghanistan. 21 reports have been registered for Mali, where Belgian soldiers are based at Bifrost Camp, near Bamako: only 300 meters from two of these burn pits.
A consultation with the unions is planned for Thursday.
The Brussels Times
