A rocket-propelled grenade explosion claimed the lives of two toddlers in Cambodia on February 22. The accident happened in a remote village in Siem Reap province, a region that witnessed heavy fighting between government forces and Khmer Rouge rebels during the 1980s and 1990s. Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), stated that the children, both two years old and cousins, were playing in the dirt when they accidentally struck the grenade. This triggered a deadly explosion, killing one child instantly. Unfortunately, the other succumbed to injuries at the hospital.
Expressing his grief, Heng Ratana said, “The war has completely ended and there has been peace for more than 25 years, but the blood of Cambodian people continues to flow because of landmines and the remnants of war.”
Cambodia Resumes Demining Efforts
Meanwhile, Cambodia has restarted its demining operations after a temporary suspension. The program was halted when US President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign aid. However, US officials recently granted a waiver, allowing the operations to continue.
Even though the civil war ended in 1998, Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Decades of conflict have left dangerous explosives scattered across the land. As a result, hidden landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to cause casualties.
Landmine Casualties Continue
Since 1979, landmines have killed approximately 20,000 people and injured over 40,000. Sadly, these incidents are still frequent. Just last month, two deminers died while removing an anti-tank mine from a rice field. In another tragic case, a farmer lost his life after stepping on a landmine.
A Long Road to a Mine-Free Cambodia
Authorities estimate that more than 1,600 square kilometers (620 square miles) of land remain contaminated, putting nearly a million Cambodians at risk. The government had initially set a goal to clear all landmines by 2025. However, due to funding shortages and the discovery of new minefields along the Thai border, the deadline has now been extended by five years.
