Two children died and one other was seriously injured by a landmine in Tbong Khmum province on Sunday, according to Memot district chief Hong Kem Heurn.
The incident occurred in Choam commune, where the children were playing about 30 metres from Plec Sam Ath, 49, father of the deceased, who was ploughing a field, said Deang Pom, police chief of Choam commune. The children picked up and tossed the bomb, which exploded upon landing.
Sam Ath Sath, 13, died from abdominal injuries; Sam Ath Seyha, 6, died of head injuries. The third child, Pang Pany, 14, from the family’s village, seriously injured both feet and is being treated at Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital, Pom said.
“The child lost two toes on the right foot and sustained surface injuries on the left foot,” said doctor Sen Tatry, adding the victim lost a large amount of blood and remains in intensive care.
Pom said it was the first landmine accident in his commune in 15 years. At that time, a citizen attempted to give authorities a mine and accidentally broke the string attached to it, setting it off.
Additional reporting by Kong Meta
