An excavator operator suffered serious injuries in a landmine explosion this morning, June 16, as he operated his machine at a construction site in Oddar Meanchey province’s O’Smach commune, in Samraong town. The incident raised the number of victims of explosive remnants of war (ERWs) to at least 22 this year.
Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), confirmed that an anti-tank mine — left over from previous conflicts — exploded while an excavator was digging foundation footings for a new building at the O’Smach Resort Zoo construction site.
“The explosion caused serious injuries to the excavator operator, and the excavator was also damaged,” he said.
Amid ongoing tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border, Ratana clarified that the public should not confuse this mine explosion with any border conflict, as there have been no explosions related to the current border situation.
As of Monday morning, local police were unable to provide further details about the incident.
The explosion occurred one week after a similar incident in Pailin province’s Stung Trang commune, in Sala Krao district. A tractor driver was killed when he struck an anti-tank mine on his own land on June 10.
Ratana reiterated that ERWs continue to pose a threat to public safety, even though the Kingdom’s war ended more than 25 years ago. He noted that the government is continuously working on demining operations to clear unexploded ordnance and landmines, aiming to free Cambodian soil from these hidden killers.
From January to May 2025, Cambodia recorded 20 casualties from ERWs, a 33 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2024, which saw 30 casualties.
Over this six-month period, six people were killed and 14 injured, many of them with permanent diabilities.
