The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has concluded that an explosion which killed a 10-year-old boy and seriously injured his father in Preah Vihear province last week was caused by an M-85 cluster submunition, a remnant of the July border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.
According to a CMAC investigation report, dated October 30, the explosion occurred at around 5.20pm on October 25 in Bongkol 8 village, Sra’em commune, Choam Ksant district.
The blast claimed the life of Suon Sovann, 10, and severely injured his father, 43-year-old Sien Son.
Investigators analysed fragments collected at the scene, examined wound patterns, inspected the surrounding area and gathered witness testimony — notably from the victim’s mother, Sin Chantheang.
The findings confirmed that the explosive device was an M-85 cluster submunition, dispensed from a 155mm M396 artillery projectile.
“The M-85 cluster submunition was fired into Cambodian territory by Thai armed forces during the July 24-28 border clashes,” said CMAC director-general Heng Ratana today, October 30, in a social media post.
He added that CMAC deployed technical teams on August 28. They surveyed the area and confirmed that it was contaminated with cluster munitions. The zone was recorded as Field Number: BS18134_B1.2+.
CMAC expressed its deepest condolences to the victim’s family and reiterated its call for the public to remain vigilant in all areas affected by the recent hostilities, particularly rice fields, farmland, residential areas and forests.
“Do not touch, move, play with or attempt to dismantle any suspicious object,” it warned.
“Unexploded ordnance can detonate at any time, causing death, injury or lifelong disability. Please report such findings immediately to local authorities or CMAC experts for safe removal,” it added.
CMAC provided the following contact numbers for emergency reporting of unexploded ordnance or suspicious objects:
Oddar Meanchey Province: 097 200 1141
Preah Vihear Province: 097 222 2735
The tragic incident highlighted the ongoing dangers posed by explosive remnants of war (ERWs), months after the July border clashes, and underscored the need for continued clearance operations in Cambodia’s northern provinces.
