Tanker explosion

FOUR families that lost their homes after a petrol tanker caught fire in Phnom Penh’s Prampi Makara district on Tuesday filed complaints to the district hall demanding compensation yesterday, officials said.

District governor Som Sovann said the complaints would be sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

“It is ultimately the court that will decide which party will be responsible for paying compensation to the villagers because the case depends on the police investigation,” he said.

He said that it was unclear whether the truck was owned by Sokimex Company or Socheat, the petroleum station where it burst into flames, sending a plume of black smoke over the city at around midday.

The owner of Socheat was arrested on Tuesday, and police continued to question her yesterday, said Phnom Penh Police Chief Touch Naruth, who added that police were urging five other families that lost their homes to lodge complaints.

“We do not know the total cost of the damages yet,’’ he said.