A landmine blast tore both legs from a 19-year-old man as he searched a wooded area in Pailin province’s Sala Krao district for bamboo shoots.

Despite losing his legs, Thean Chin survived the explosion, and is receiving treatment at the Battambang Provincial Hospital, Sala Krao Deputy District Governor Sam Sareth said.

“The victim went into the forest alone to look for bamboo shoots,” Sareth said. “Unluckily, he stepped on a land mine that had been there since the Khmer Rouge era.”

Villagers heard Chin’s screams after the explosion and helped him to a hospital, Sereth said.

“I want to send a message to all villagers to be careful and make sure they have information about the places they go in case there are landmines,” Sareth said.

Last week, six people were killed and one maimed after their home-made tractor ran over a land mine in Preah Vihear’s Choam Ksan district.

The Cambodian Mine Action Centre reported that there were more than 60 cases in the first half of this year.