Three people were killed and nine others injured in what police believe was a suicidal grenade attack in the Kandal Stung district of Kandal province on Wednesday.

Sim Buth Bandith, Kandal Stung district police chief, said yesterday that the incident occurred during a family quarrel at an outdoor gathering at about 8pm in the district’s Tadol Bei village. No arrests had been made in connection with the crime, he said

The body of Un Seng, 48, was identified by police as the suspect. He had divorced from his wife several months ago and was allegedly seeking to reunite with her.

His wife reportedly denied his attempt at a reconciliation, which police said caused the suspect to retaliate by using a grenade in a suicide attack.

“There is no investigation about this incident because the criminal was dead at the scene and our conclusion was that there were no other suspects,” Sim Buth Bandith said.

A 38-year-old neighbour, Seang Sreymao, said yesterday that Un Seng had fought with his wife several times during the past two weeks and had also threatened to kill his entire family.

“We didn’t expect that Seng would explode a grenade during the gathering of the neighbourhood. He came and sat while members of his family were visiting his sick [ex] mother-in-law, had an argument for several minutes and then put his hand in his pocket.

“We smelled gunpowder before he exploded,” she said, adding that two people including one child remained in critical condition in hospital.