Two children have died after an unexploded ordnance detonated while they were playing under a bridge in Kampong Thom province, central Cambodia. The incident, which occurred on 14 March, highlights the lingering dangers of wartime munitions still scattered across the country decades after conflict ended. Police identified the victims as 14-year-old Soth Sila and eight-year-old Yan Ratana, both from Baray district. The pair were rushed to Baray-Santuk District Referral Hospital but succumbed to their injuries on arrival. Their grandmother, Sim Pong, who had taken them to the Chinit River to gather medicinal plants and fish, described hearing a sudden explosion while the children played nearby. She found them gravely injured beneath the newly built Kampong Thom bridge. Authorities have urged families to remain vigilant, warning that unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains a deadly hazard in rural areas. Citizens are advised never to touch or move suspicious objects, and to report them immediately to local officials. Cambodia is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with millions of landmines and UXOs left behind from decades of war and civil conflict, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. Despite extensive clearance efforts, accidents continue to claim lives, often among children who mistake the devices for toys. The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has made significant progress in clearing contaminated land, but rural provinces such as Kampong Thom remain vulnerable. According to humanitarian organisations, UXOs not only pose a direct threat to life but also hinder farming, development, and community safety. This tragedy underscores the importance of ongoing mine clearance programmes and public awareness campaigns. International partners have supported Cambodia’s efforts, yet the scale of contamination means complete eradication will take years. For families like Sim Pong’s, the danger is immediate and personal. The deaths of Soth Sila and Yan Ratana serve as a stark reminder that the legacy of war continues to haunt Cambodia’s younger generations. -2026-03-16
