Kabul - More than 600 Afghans were lost their lives by landmines and explosives last year, the UN Mine Action Programme in Afghanistan said Friday.

Mine initiatives had cleared more than one billion square metres of land across Afghanistan, one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, the group said.

More than 350,000 anti-personnel mines, 19,000 anti-tank mines and millions of pieces of other explosive elements have been destroyed, it said in a statement.

"Mines and explosives killed over six hundred Afghans last year, which is an average of 50 people every month," it said. "This figure is too high and we must all continue to work together to ensure that we reduce the number of people killed, injured and maimed by landmines in Afghanistan."

Half of the victims of mines or unexploded ordinance are under the age of 18. (dpa)