Three hurt in Cambodia mine explosion

PHNOM PENH: At least three people were seriously injured in a Jan 30 landmine explosion in Pursat province. The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has issued renewed calls for the public to be extra vigilant and not enter areas which have not been confirmed as safe.

The explosion occurred when a man unloading bricks from a truck dropped one on a landmine. Three victims were confirmed. One of them suffered serious injuries, losing two toes in the explosion.

A Jan 31 CMAA social media post said the incident occurred in Sangkum Thmei village of Veal Veng district’s Thma Da commune.

Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the CMAA, said that this was the first such case of 2024. He noted that while the accident took place outside of a restricted area, demining operators will increase their efforts to clear more land.

He expressed the sorrow felt by the government and the CMAA that innocent Cambodians continue to suffer from the scourge of landmines.

Thuch added this regret was the driving force behind efforts to clear mines, and noted that landmines are crueller than other explosive remnants of war (ERWs).

“The CMAA will continue to carry out demining work across the Kingdom. We urge each of our operators, as well as local authorities, to continue to educate people about the danger of mines and other ERWs, and call for the public to remain vigilant,” he said.

He urged people living in areas with suspected ERWs to avoid entering land which has an unknown history. If people suspect they have seen mines or ERWs, they should report them to the authorities immediately, so specialists can dispose of them.

He added that the CMAA is working hard to focus financial resources on putting an end to the suffering caused by landmines.

In 2023, there were 32 victims of landmines and ERWs, with most incidents taking place in Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Battambang and Ratanakkiri provinces. Of the 32 victims, four were killed, while 10 suffered amputations and 18 were injured, some of them seriously.

This figure represented a 22 per cent drop on the 2022 numbers, when 41 victims were recorded. – The Phnom Penh Post/ANN