An ammunition explosion at a military base in southwestern Cambodia has resulted in the deaths of 20 soldiers, with several others wounded, and extensive damage to nearby civilian properties. The explosion occurred on Saturday in the Chbar Mon district of Kompong Speu province. The incident was confirmed by Prime Minister Hun Manet, who expressed deep shock upon receiving the news of the blast.
More than 30 soldiers lost their life in a explosion at the ammunition depot in #Cambodia pic.twitter.com/SfqzZBWi7F
— Amitabh Chaudhary (@MithilaWaala) April 28, 2024
The explosion damaged four buildings on the base—three used for storage and one work facility—and several military vehicles. Additionally, 25 homes in the surrounding villages sustained damage. Images from the scene depict severely damaged buildings, some with roofs blown off, and soldiers receiving medical treatment in a hospital.
The exact cause of the explosion has not been determined. However, the region has been experiencing an extended heatwave, with temperatures reaching as high as 102°F (39°C) on the day of the blast. While high temperatures alone typically do not trigger munitions to detonate, they can degrade the stability of explosives over time, potentially leading to unintended explosions.
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