More than 24,000 unexploded ordnance (UXOs) items of all kinds have been recovered from the Kingdom’s rivers and waterways in the past year and four months.

The operations are part of a campaign to clear explosive remnants of war (ERWs) and salvage the wreckage of vessels which were sunk during past conflicts, according to a report by the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC).

The July 25 report states from February 2023 to June this year, 24,699 UXOs of all kinds and 27 tonnes of scrap metal was identified and recovered from riverbeds.

“During this period, 8,246 munitions were neutralised and 13,037 landmines were destroyed. Our specialists have identified more ship wrecks and munitions at the bottom of rivers,” the report said.

On July 25, Minister of Interior Sar Sokha visited CMAC’s underwater UXO disposal special unit at their base, in Kandal province’s Leuk Dek district.

Interior minister Sar Sokha and several officials examine some of the recovered UXOs at the CMAC underwater UXO disposal unit base in Kandal’s Leuk Dek district. CMAC

During the meeting, he praised the unit’s underwater disposal operators for their courage and “proud results”.

Sokha reiterated that government policy is to clear UXOs underwater and at sea to ensure the safety and security of the Kingdom’s transport infrastructure, as well as the safety of people travelling.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed on July 25 that 214 CMAC members and six National Police force officers are currently engaged in clearing UXOs and retrieving the wreckage of sunken vessels in Leuk Dek district, which intersects with Prey Veng province’s Peam Chor district.