15/08/2022 Cambogia, Kampong Cham, Srei Santhor, Mean Chey
“If you ever come across anything suspicious like this item, please do not pick it up, contact your local law enforcement agency for assistance”
More than 1,000 pieces, equivalent to 17 tonnes, of ammunition have been recovered from rivers in Cambodia. General Neang Phat, permanent secretary of state at the Ministry of Defence and chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Working Group to Study and Solve Unexploded Ordnance Disposal Case, said that from 2021 to August 5, 2022, more than 1,000 underwater munitions, equivalent to 17 tons, were recovered from Cambodian rivers by divers. “The officials of the working group have worked hard and made all kinds of sacrifices to fulfill the mission in accordance with the government’s plan, even though there is no budget to support this operation,” he told a meeting chaired by Minister of Interior Sar Kheng yesterday. The meeting was held to look into the progress of operations to clear unexploded remnants of war (ERA) in rivers. Kheng, said that the government aims to clear all ERA from the rivers, most of which had sunk together with supply vessels and patrol boats that were sunk during the war. He said the operations to clear the ERA was to make it safe for the people, facilitate navigation, as well as other river-related work. He praised the hard work of clearing unexploded ordinance underwater from the riverbed. “We encourage the leadership and the divers to continue their mission safely and successfully,” Kheng added. The minister said he will push to overcome some of the challenges raised by the working group in the meeting to ensure smooth operations. Suy Sem, Minister of Mines and Energy, briefed the meeting on some of the key tasks and difficulties of the operation in dredging the river. Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) said specialists are carrying out operational activities, as well as the technical and legal aspects of the government’s underwater ammunition clearance operation. “In principle, the government must clear unexploded ordinance underwater to ensure safety,” Ratana added. In January last year, the Cambodian Underwater Ordnance Disposal forces found unexploded ordinances at the site of a sunken warship during the civil war in Veal village, Meanchey commune, Srey Santhor district. Kampong Cham province. The operation to clear unexploded ordinance around the wreck site was 3,500 square metres. The divers safely recovered 216 unexploded ordnances.
Photo-Source: khmertimeskh.com
If you find anything that appears to be an explosive device, do not touch it, leave it where it is and call the police. We will contact the appropriate agencies to properly dispose of the item.
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