Cambodia Mourns Four Dead in Landslide and Drowning Tragedies

KT

Cambodia is reeling after two separate tragedies claimed four lives in less than 24 hours, prompting renewed warnings about safety during extreme weather.

On 23 September, Thuy Cheng, a 36-year-old gold miner from Thanal Bot village in Battambang Province, was crushed to death by a landslide while digging in an abandoned pit. The incident occurred at 3pm in Sampov Lun District. Local residents worked through the night to recover his body, finally retrieving it at 2:25am the following morning. His remains were handed over to relatives for a traditional funeral.

Just hours later, on 24 September, three men drowned off Love Beach in Preah Sihanouk Province after venturing into the sea during strong winds and high waves. One man was swept under, and the other two were tragically pulled in while trying to rescue him.

The victims—Men Met, Un Vit, and Noeun Ranut—were all residents of Phnom Toch village in Kampong Som city. Their deaths have shocked the coastal community, where swimming during stormy conditions remains a common but dangerous practice.

Governor Mang Sineth of Preah Sihanouk Province extended his condolences to the families and urged the public to avoid swimming during adverse weather. “We must take these warnings seriously,” he said, “and protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

Both incidents highlight the risks posed by Cambodia’s seasonal storms, especially in rural and coastal areas where safety infrastructure is limited. Authorities are expected to review local safety protocols and increase public awareness campaigns in the coming weeks.

-2025-09-25