PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — On Thursday, two Cambodian deminers tragically lost their lives while attempting to clear an anti-tank mine remnants from the country’s turbulent past. This incident, confirmed by authorities, occurred in a rice field located in Oddar Meanchey province, a region that witnessed intense conflict between government forces and the Khmer Rouge insurgents during the 1980s.
The Cambodian Mines Action Center (CMAC), the organization responsible for overseeing demining efforts, reported that the fatalities involved two individuals named Pov Nepin and Ouen Channara. The men died instantly when the mine they were working on detonated during the removal process.
In a statement, CMAC expressed their deep sorrow over the incident, highlighting the significant contributions made by these experienced deminers toward peace, security, and the development of Cambodian society.
The legacy of Cambodia’s prolonged conflict is still evident, as it is estimated that between 4 million to 6 million landmines and various types of unexploded ordnance continue to scatter the countryside. These dangerous remnants of war date back to decades of violence that persisted until 1998.
Since the cessation of conflict, the toll of these dangerous remnants has been severe; nearly 20,000 lives have been lost, and around 45,000 individuals have sustained injuries from unexploded munitions. Nevertheless, ongoing demining operations have led to a significant reduction in casualties—from 858 reported incidents in 2000 down to just 32 in 2023, according to the latest data from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
Cambodian deminers are recognized globally for their high level of expertise, with several thousand having contributed their skills in various missions in Africa and the Middle East under the auspices of the United Nations in the last decade. In a notable recent development, Cambodia commenced training deminers from Ukraine in 2022, aimed at assisting the country as it struggles with an increasing number of landmines and unexploded ordnance following the Russian invasion that began in February of that year.
