An item of unexploded ordnance (UXO) linked to an AK47 rifle exploded on February 16 in north-northeastern Oddar Meanchey province, seriously injuring a 29-year-old man.

The incident took place in the Thkeam Romeas point of Samaki village, Trapaing Brei commune, Anlong Veng district. The man hailed from Reach Chumtol village, Sre Khvav commune, Angkor Chum district of neighbouring Siem Reap province to the south.

This is according to a post on Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) director-general Heng Ratana’s Facebook page.

Hired to harvest cassava in the area, the victim claimed to have spotted some sort of AK47 component lodged in a mango tree trunk. He then struck the object with a billhook sickle, causing it to explode, the post said.

Initially taken to Anlong Veng Referral Hospital, the man has been transferred to the Siem Reap Provincial Referral Hospital, it added.

“It is very sad and heartbreaking to see the continued shedding of young Cambodians’ blood because of war remnants.”