At least 20 soldiers killed, several others injured after ammunition explosion at army base in Cambodia
At least 20 soldiers lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries in an ammunition explosion at a base in western Cambodia on Saturday afternoon, according to the country’s Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The blast, as described by Hun Manet, occurred on Saturday afternoon at an army base in Kampong Speu province, also causing injuries to several individuals. The cause of the explosion has not been determined yet.
Citing social media images, news agency AFP reported a one-storey building engulfed in smoke, and residents from a nearby village shared pictures of broken windows online.
According to local media reports, the blaze ignited at 2:30 pm (local time) at an ammunition depot in the Third Military Command in Kampong Speu province’s Chamkar Doung village.
The area was promptly sealed off to traffic, and some nearby residents were evacuated. Local police and fire trucks intervened to quell the blaze, and by 4:40 pm (local time), the situation was under control, as per local media.
Expressing his sorrow on Facebook, the Cambodian PM described the explosion incident as "deeply shocking" and conveyed his "deepest condolences" to the families of the deceased soldiers.
He also directed the minister of national defense and the commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian armed forces to expedite arrangements for the soldiers' funerals.
Hun Manet, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, rose to a four-star general before assuming the role of PM, succeeding his autocratic father Hun Sen.
W. Patrick Murphy, US Ambassador to Cambodia, expressed his condolences, stating, “I extend deepest condolences to the families & loved ones of Royal Cambodian Army soldiers killed and all those affected by today’s tragic explosion in Kampong Speu. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
The French Embassy in Cambodia also mourned the incident, stating, “The Embassy of France in Cambodia... is deeply saddened by the terrible explosion which took place in Kampong Speu today and took so many lives. We wish to express our deepest condolences to the Royal Government of Cambodia, the RCAF, and the families of the victims.”
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