At least 16 garment workers were injured on Saturday in a collision between a train and a van in Kandal province’s Kandal Stung District.

Man Chanrith, Kandal Stung district police chief, told the Post the van, transporting the garment workers home from work, crashed into a speeding freight train in Trapaing Veng commune.

The accident was caused by the motorist, who apparently did not notice the traffic sign motioning the van to stop for the train, Chanrith said.

Five people suffered broken limbs and several others were knocked unconscious, while the rest suffered slight injuries. All were sent to the hospital on Saturday night, Chanrith said.

Police are questioning the driver and the van has been impounded at the Kandal Stung district police station while they deliberate on the cause of the accident, Chanrith said.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation has cracked down on overloaded vehicles in recent years, but such accidents continue apace.

A similar one occurred in February, when a truck carrying 50 garment workers – more than twice its capacity – crashed, killing one and injuring dozens.