Lightning Strike Kills 3 at Angkor Wat, Sparks Online Backlash

[geovalin]

Matichon

 

A ritual ceremony at Cambodia’s famed Angkor Wat ended in tragedy yesterday evening when a lightning strike killed three people and injured more than ten others. The incident, which took place around 5:00 p.m. at the UNESCO World Heritage site in Siem Reap Province, occurred as locals and visitors gathered for a ceremonial event.

 

According to initial reports, the deceased and injured included individuals from Phnom Penh, Kampot, and the surrounding region. Emergency services responded swiftly, with victims transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The names of the deceased have not yet been released.

 

The lightning bolt struck during a sudden storm while the group was performing the ceremony within the temple complex — widely considered the spiritual and cultural heart of Cambodia. The temple attracts millions of tourists annually and is a key pillar of the nation’s identity.

 

As news of the incident spread online, much of the public response focused not on the tragedy itself but on its potential effect on Cambodia’s tourism industry. Many Cambodian internet users took to social media urging news outlets and online pages to delete the story, concerned it might deter foreign visitors already nervous about travel safety.

 

The backlash underscores a growing tension between transparent reporting and national image, particularly in countries heavily reliant on tourism. While officials have yet to issue a formal statement, local authorities are expected to review safety protocols for future public gatherings at the site.

 

The temple remains open to visitors, though the mood around Angkor Wat today is one of shock and mourning.

 

-2025-05-17

[Yagoda]

I was watching the storm and saw it hit. There were some heavy strikes out there, dont forget the temples tower over the surrounding jungle.

 

[Harrisfan]

On 5/17/2025 at 2:34 PM, Yagoda said:

I was watching the storm and saw it hit. There were some heavy strikes out there, dont forget the temples tower over the surrounding jungle.

 

Take pics?

[Yagoda]

4 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Take pics?

No, I did last night tho, but no forks

[KhunLA]

"Many Cambodian internet users took to social media urging news outlets and online pages to delete the story, concerned it might deter foreign visitors already nervous about travel safety."  

[mfd101]

On 5/17/2025 at 11:18 AM, geovalin said:

local authorities are expected to review safety protocols for future public gatherings at the site.

Gonna stop a lightening bolt, are they?

[spidermike007]

I don't think there's really much that could be expected from the authorities when it comes to stopping a sudden storm, things like this happen. Storms come on sometimes in mere minutes, and the public cannot be protected from that. 

 

Cambodia has a long and dark history of covering up news and truth, and it's a nation that is not a democracy, and has been run by a greedy serial killing dictator despot for decades now. And now his son enters the picture. Yikes. 

[Burma Bill]

19 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Take pics?

 

https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2025/05/17/3319751.webp

 

 

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/05/17/lightning-strike-at-angkor-wat-leaves-three-dead-dozens-injured