THREE plantation workers were killed and nine others severely injured by an anti-tank mine that exploded when their vehicle drove over it Saturday afternoon in Pailin province’s Sala Krao district, local officials said Sunday.

Huot Sattha, director of the government’s Mine Action Planning Unit in Pailin province, said 13 plantation workers were in the vehicle when it hit the mine, and that one passenger escaped with only minor injuries.

“The driver and two women died instantly at the scene after their homemade vehicle ran over the mine on their way home from work,” he said.

A total of 22 people have fallen victim to blasts from mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in Pailin so far this year, said Huot Sattha, who added that he did not know how many had died.

On Sunday, a 52-year-old Royal Cambodian Armed Forces soldier lost his left leg in a land-mine blast near the Thai border in Banteay Meanchey province’s O’Chhrov district, said district military commander Chea Pisey. Last year saw 243 land-mine and ERW casualties, down from 271 in 2008.