Mine kills soldier on Thai-Cambodian border

 

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

A deputy commander from the military’s border patrol was killed after stepping on an anti-personnel mine on Saturday while patrolling the Cambodian-Thai border in Oddar Meanchey province.

The incident took place at about 6am on a ridge in the Dangrek Mountains in Ta Moan Sen Chey village in Kork Mon commune in the province’s Banteay Ampil district.

Major Keo Saroeun, deputy commander of the 421st Platoon based in Kork Mon district named the victim as Chief Warrant Officer Muy Toeum, 32, Commander of Group I and Deputy Commander of the 421st Platoon.

Maj Saroeun said that at the time of the accident, Toeum, went outside the military base to relieve himself in the forest.

While Toeum was walking towards an area about 15 metres from the post he stepped on the “K59” Russian-made anti-personnel mine which was placed there during the civil war.

The explosion blew off one of Toeum’s legs, blinded both eyes and damaged both his hands. The extent of the injuries killed him on the spot.

“After hearing the explosion, other soldiers on duty alerted the platoon commander for assistance as they couldn’t access the area because there would have been more anti-personnel mines there,” Maj Saroeun told Khmer Times yesterday.

“The platoon commander contacted military de-miners and de-miners from the Cambodia Mines Action Centre (CMAC) based in the district for assistance,” he said.

He noted that after demining the area, soldiers removed Toeum’s body and sent it to his platoon in Kork Mon district.

After military doctors examined the victim’s body, the platoon commander sent it to his family living in Samrong city for a funeral.

He added that this was a regrettable accident and joined with the family in mourning Chief Warrant Officer Toeum’s death. The Ministry of National Defence yesterday contributed 10 million riels ($ 2,500) to his family for the funeral.

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