A rainstorm and a missing warning sign are being blamed in the deaths of two brothers who drove their motorbike off an unfinished bridge in Kandal province on Sunday.

The construction project in Sa’ang district’s Preak Koy commune is being overseen by Hanshin Engineering and Construction, although the physical construction was subcontracted to MICG, then again to a firm called CJCG.

The bridge previously had a sign warning motorists to take a detour, but it had been removed, police said.

Soy Sarvorn, deputy chief of Sa’ang district, said the two victims were brothers Tour Sineurn, 25, and Tour Meth, 24.

“Based on our analysis, the accident was a result of the motorist’s carelessness while driving in the rain and the removal of the sign banning the entry to the bridge,” he added.

Ear Chariya, founder and director of the Institute for Road Safety, said this type of accident is all too common.

“There are many cases where construction companies fail to protect the public,” Chariya said, adding the company was legally obligated to provide warning signs. “It’s common for these companies to avoid compensating victims because they usually have a lot of support from the government and their legal team.”

A MICG representative who spoke on condition of anonymity said the company has not been contacted about compensating the victims’ family.