A massive explosion at a military base in southwestern Cambodia killed 20 soldiers, injured others, and caused damage to nearby homes. Security around the base in Kompong Speu province was tight as authorities investigated the cause of the blast. Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed shock over the incident and it was not immediately clear what triggered the explosion. Nearby villagers recounted feeling their houses shake and hearing a loud blast, with some experiencing damage to their roofs and buildings. Images from the scene showed badly damaged structures on the base and injured soldiers receiving treatment in a hospital. Several military vehicles were also damaged.
Colonel Youeng Sokhon, an army officer at the site, reported that four buildings were destroyed, along with several military vehicles. Additionally, 25 villagers’ homes were damaged by the blast. Villagers described hearing a sharp sound and seeing smoke rising from the direction of the army base, leading to panic among the residents who sought shelter in safer places. The military closed off access to the base, causing further distress among the local population. The explosion was attributed to an arms depot on the base, with some reports indicating a series of small explosions following a major one that occurred around 2:30 p.m.
The incident occurred amidst an extended heat wave affecting Cambodia, with temperatures in the province reaching as high as 102 degrees Fahrenheit on the day of the blast. While high temperatures typically cannot cause ammunition detonation, they can degrade the stability of explosives over time, potentially leading to accidental explosions. A previous arms depot explosion in 2005 in Battambang resulted in casualties and widespread panic among local residents. The dangers of poorly stored or mishandled munitions were highlighted in a 2014 report, which cited hundreds of incidents involving unplanned explosions at munitions sites worldwide over a period of six years.
Prime Minister Hun Manet extended condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives in the explosion, promising government support for funeral expenses and compensation for those affected. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Hun Manet served as an army commander before assuming the role of prime minister following his father, Hun Sen. U.S. Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy also offered condolences to the families of the affected soldiers. The blast serves as a tragic reminder of the risks associated with handling explosives and the importance of ensuring proper storage and safety measures at military facilities.
