THE country’s defence ministry said a blistering heatwave roiling South-East Asia played a role in an ammunition explosion that killed 20 soldiers at an army base over the weekend.
The blast – which destroyed an entire truck of munitions and levelled buildings – also wounded several soldiers and at least one child in rural Kampong Speu province on Saturday.
“The incident of the ammunition explosion on April 27, 2024... was a technical issue because the weapons are old, faulty and the hot weather,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry also rejected suggestions that the blast was down to rebellious soldiers or an act of terrorism.
Deadly munitions accidents are not uncommon in Cambodia, which is awash with ammunition, mines and unexploded ordnance leftover from decades of conflict.
Such incidents are exacerbated by frequently lax safety standards.
Like much of South and South-East Asia, Cambodia has been struggling with hot weather in recent weeks.
Authorities warned on Sunday that temperatures could reach 43˚C in some areas. — AFP
