An ammunition explosion at a military base in southwestern Cambodia has left 20 soldiers dead and several others injured, according to Prime Minister Hun Manet. The blast occurred at a base in Kampong Speu province, with the cause still unknown.
Images from the scene show severely damaged buildings, some with roofs blown off, and soldiers being treated in a nearby hospital. Col. Youeng Sokhon reported that four buildings were destroyed, along with several military vehicles, and 25 villagers’ homes were also damaged.
The province where the explosion took place had experienced high temperatures, reaching 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) on the day of the incident. While heat alone typically cannot detonate ammunition, it can weaken the stability of explosives over time, potentially leading to accidental detonations.
Witnesses reported a major explosion followed by smaller blasts for about an hour. Nearby residents described windows shattering and homes suffering minor damage up to a kilometer away from the base.
Prime Minister Hun Manet, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, expressed his condolences to the families of the soldiers and pledged government support for their funerals and compensation for the victims. He took office last year after his father, Hun Sen, stepped down following 38 years as Cambodia’s leader.