Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Ministry of Defence in Cambodia announced that a technical issue, along with an intense heatwave, has been identified as the cause of a tragic series of explosions at a military base. The incident took place on April 27 at the Third Regional Military Command in Kampong Speu province, resulting in the death of 20 soldiers and leaving several others wounded.
The explosions occurred at an ammunition depot in Chamkar Doung village of Chbar Mon town while soldiers were unloading ammunition from trucks to warehouses. Following an investigation at the scene, the Ministry of Defence concluded that the explosion was due to old and faulty weapons being exposed to the hot weather conditions.
Authorities emphasized that the claims spread by extremist opposition groups suggesting rebellious soldiers or acts of terrorism were involved in the explosion were unfounded. Lt-Gen. Yoeung Sokhon, commander of the Third Regional Military Command, reported significant damage to several buildings, ammunition warehouses, and military trucks. Additionally, the blast resulted in the destruction of 25 nearby villagers’ homes.
Chan Yutha, spokesperson for the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, highlighted that Cambodia experienced record-high temperatures during this hot season, the highest in approximately 170 years. The extreme heatwave likely exacerbated the situation at the military base, contributing to the tragic explosion.
Efforts are underway to provide support to the affected soldiers and villagers while the Ministry of Defence continues to investigate the incident further. The priority remains on ensuring the safety of military personnel and the surrounding communities. The aftermath of the explosions serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by military establishments during times of extreme weather conditions.