The navy is searching for two marines who went missing when a speed boat transporting food had an electrical malfunction that caused an explosion, throwing the men into the water south of Sampoch Island in Preah Sihanouk province on April 5. Four others were injured in the incident.

“We haven’t found them yet. Three military personnel suffered minor injuries and another sustained a serious injury,” said Navy Commaner Tea Vinh.

The boat exploded at 13:30pm at the south of the island about 3km from Prek Chak beach in Ream commune in the province’s Prey Nop district.

According to Tea Vinh, the military personnel were members of Ream Naval Base and were on a mission to transport food to navy forces stationed on Koh Seh.

The two missing personnel were identified as Sok Reaksmey and Pheak, according to Ream Naval Base commander Ouk Seyha.

“We also approached the Vietnamese side for help in case they [military personnel] drifted to their side. Currently the wind is too strong on the sea which makes it hard for us to search for them,” he said.