A soldier in Oddar Meanchey province has died after sustaining serious injuries in a landmine explosion while driving a tractor on his rice paddy, police said.

Chea Nimul, Preah Brolay commune police chief, said that Keo Yen, a soldier based in Trapaing Prasat district, lost his right arm and right leg in the blast, which happened on Monday afternoon.

“The victim was brought to Trapaing Prasat district referral hospital immediately for treatment, but the wounds were bleeding profusely, causing him to die,” he said.

Yuos Bros, a local village chief, said the victim was ploughing a field when he ran over an anti-tank mine left from the civil war in the 1980s.

“The victim had five children, including one infant, and now his wife will face serious problems paying off a loan they took out to pay for the tractor,” he said, adding that the family had used the deed to their land as collateral.

The incident is the third such case in the area this year, Bros said.

The region, abutting the Thai border, is one of the most heavily mined areas in the world, according to landmine monitors.