An illegal logger in Pursat province accidentally shot a member of his own work group on Monday, according to Veal Veng district police.

Luong Bunlay, a central justice police official in the district, official, said yesterday that seven loggers were taking a break in Dey Krohorm village when one of them, Ma Soran, 36, started toying with his AK-47. He accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting Nharm Mengleang, 39, in the head, killing him. After the shot, the loggers scattered.

“They were about 10 metres away from each other. He played with his rifle and unconsciously triggered it and his carelessness just caused the victim to die immediately,” Bunlay said.

The loggers were allegedly going after protected timber in the Mount Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Veal Veng, a preserve in the Cardamom Mountains. After the incident, district police forces and authorities from 10 police stations went to the site.

Anlong Reap commune police chief Dy Sunhak said the area was deep in the forest, near Samkos mountain. Authorities had to walk there at night.

“The rangers aren’t enough for protecting and patrolling and there are many loggers,” Sunhak said. Authorities are searching for the suspect.