Cambodia’s defense ministry reported on Thursday ( Apr 2 ) that a blistering heatwave in Southeast Asia was a factor in a weekend ammunition explosion that left 20 soldiers dead at an army base.
In Kampong Speu province’s rural area, the fire on Saturday even caused at least one child’s injuries, causing the destruction of an entire truckload of ammunition and levelling buildings.
According to the defense government, researchers think the heatwave contributed to the explosion of the outdated weapons.
” The occurrence of the weapons explosion on Apr 27, 2024… was a complex problem because the arms are old, inaccurate, and the warm weather”, the department said in a statement.
It did not address the specific problem or how the detonation might have been caused by the heat.
The government also refuted claims that the explosion was caused by rebel soldiers or a terrorist act.
In Cambodia, which is replete with weapons, mine, and unexploded ordnance leftover from years of civil discord, lethal weapons accidents are not uncommon.
These incidents are made worse by regularly weak safety standards.