Explosion at military base in Cambodia results in the deaths of twenty soldiers

Twenty soldiers have tragically lost their lives in a massive explosion at a military base in southwestern Cambodia. The incident, which occurred in Kampong Speu province, also left several others wounded and caused significant damage to nearby houses.

According to Colonel Youeng Sokhon, an army officer at the site, four buildings, including three for storage and one for work, were completely destroyed, and multiple military vehicles were damaged. Additionally, the homes of 25 villagers were also impacted by the blast.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a major explosion around 2:30 pm, followed by smaller blasts for about an hour. Villager Pheng Kimneang described the chaos, stating that residents were in a panic, seeking a safe place to take cover. Another villager, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted hearing a sharp sound and seeing smoke rising, indicating an explosion at the arms depot.

The military immediately closed off access to the base, and guards attempted to keep reporters away from the scene. Images from the site showed severe damage to the buildings, with roofs blown off and debris scattered around the area.

Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed deep shock over the tragedy and offered his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers. He assured that the government would cover the costs of funerals and provide compensation to the families of those killed and injured in the explosion.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but the extreme heatwave in Cambodia has raised concerns about the stability of explosives in high temperatures. Authorities are working to ensure the safety and security of military facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.