Diana embraces two sisters who each lost a foot to landmines

Diana Flies Home After Bosnian Anti-mine Visit

During the past three days the Princess has travelled through Bosnia to meet the victims, including two sisters who each lost a foot when they unwittingly ran into a minefield while fleeing from shell fire.

Ken Rutherford, one of the organisers of the trip, who was injured in a landmine accident, said: "The Princess often had tears come to her eyes as she learned what people have been through."

"She has been listening a lot and has shown a real understanding of the problems landmine survivors face."

The Princess was told repeatedly of the continuing problems faced by victims at a time when there are still an estimated one million mines buried in Bosnia, most with no record of where they are.

Among the people Diana met was a group of men maimed by landmines who now play "sitting volleyball" to keep fit and help get back their self-respect.

Landmine victims playing 'sitting volleyball'

The Princess was told the club was now one of 16 across Bosnia. She watched the men moving rapidly around the floor, using their arms to propel them with scant regard for the stumps of legs used to give them extra leverage to hit the ball.

They presented her with a small certificate to mark the visit, and moments later she walked over and sat down among them.

Through an interpreter she asked them about their injuries and the problems they were facing in trying to return to a normal life.

The men's coach, Salih Alic, said afterwards: "Her visit means a lot to us. "She is the only person who is trying to stop landmines. They are all glad to see her. Mines are a terrible tragedy for this country."

The Princess ignored questions from accompanying journalists about her reported new romance with Dodi Al Fayed, the son of the owner of Harrods, Mohamed Al Fayed.

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