Explosion in Cambodia that killed 20 at an army base was likely caused by mishandling of ammunition
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A huge explosion in southwestern Cambodia over the weekend that killed 20 soldiers at an army base appears to have been an accident caused by mishandling of ammunition by troops, a senior military official said Tuesday.
The Saturday afternoon blast in Kampong Speu province also destroyed military vehicles and four buildings at the base, and damaged homes in a nearby village.
Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Mao Phalla said the soldiers were transferring ammunition from trucks into a storage facility when the blast occurred, killing them instantly. He said another 11 people, including soldiers and nearby villagers, were slightly injured, mostly from debris from the damaged buildings, not shrapnel.
Cambodia held a mass funeral on Sunday for those killed in the explosion.
The initial but still not official theory was that the soldiers were unloading ammunition from a truck and stacking it on the ground before moving it into the storage facility, causing one item to explode, he said. That set off a chain reaction, added Mao Phalla.
Related articles
- A small group of NFL rookies from the 2024 class, including Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, sat down2024-05-21
- His curly blonde locks and chiselled jawline won him heartthrob status in the 80s during his time on2024-05-21
What to expect in Indiana's presidential and state primaries
WASHINGTON (AP) — The race for the White House tops the ballot Tuesday in Indiana’s presidential and2024-05-21German foreign minister says Russia will face consequences for monthslong cyber espionage
BRUSSELS (AP) — Germany’s top diplomat on Friday accused Russian agents of “intolerable” hacking of2024-05-21Independent UN experts urge Yemen’s Houthis to free detained Baha'i followers
CAIRO (AP) — Human rights experts working for the United Nations on Monday urged Yemen’s Houthi rebe2024-05-21Rublev beats Fritz to reach Madrid Open final against Auger
MADRID (AP) — Andrey Rublev beat Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 on Friday to reach the Madrid Open final wher2024-05-21
atest comment