Half of Cambodia’s Mine Accidents Happen in Unmapped Zones

CMAC

Nearly half of all landmine accidents in Cambodia over the past decade have taken place outside officially recorded minefields, according to alarming new figures released by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA).

The revelation has raised serious concerns over the scale of unexplored contamination, particularly along the country’s western border with Thailand—a region scarred by decades of past conflict and now under renewed scrutiny.

Of the more than 600 mine-related incidents recorded between 2015 and 2024, 49% occurred in areas not previously identified as hazardous. These findings have prompted the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), working with the Royal Cambodian Army, to ramp up efforts to map and survey the border provinces more comprehensively.

Heng Ratana, Director General of CMAC, said the latest survey—underway since November and set to conclude by June—marks a significant push to uncover remaining danger zones.

“We’re now focusing on previously unsurveyed districts along the Cambodia–Thailand border,” he said. “We use witness accounts, physical evidence, drones, and detailed mapping to identify contaminated sites.”

To mitigate risks during the operation, CMAC is running awareness campaigns in each village surveyed. Local residents are briefed on potential dangers, and village leaders are informed of known risks before teams move on.

First Vice-President of the CMAA, Ly Thuch, underlined the strategic importance of this work in realising Prime Minister Hun Manet’s pledge to deliver a mine-free Cambodia. But he warned the mission requires sustained international support.

“We need advanced technology, better survey tools, and robust data systems to guide our efforts,” he said.

Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, a legacy of prolonged conflict that continues to threaten rural communities today. While progress has been made, the latest figures suggest the problem is far from over—and that many threats remain hidden just beyond the maps.

-2025-04-10