The Apsara Authority on Thursday closed down the eastern Kulen Mountain road following two tragic accidents in less than a week in which three passengers died and nearly two dozen were injured when the vehicles they were travelling in overturned.

On July 15, 12 Cambodians sustained injuries when their minivan overturned on the road, which is currently under construction.

On Sunday, two Chinese female tourists died while several others were injured in a similar accident. A third Chinese tourist succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday at the province’s Reaksmey Angkor International Hospital.

Police who inspected the scene said the accident was caused by the negligence of the Cambodian driver, who fled the scene before they arrived.

Apsara Authority spokesperson Long Kosal told The Post on Thursday that the road on the eastern side of Kulen Mountain is being constructed by Try Pheap Group, a conglomerate owned by prominent tycoon Try Peap. The roadworks will be closed until it is completed.

“Some parts of the road are not safe for travelling and filled with gravel which makes it slippery. The road is steep and has many turns. Safety barriers have yet to be erected.

“The closure will not affect national and international tourists who visit Kulen Mountain as there is another road on the western side,” he said.

The Post could not reach a representative of Try Pheap Group for comment on Thursday.

Svay Leu district police chief Sun Eng told The Post on Thursday that people prefer to travel on the still-under-construction road because the paved one is open to traffic only at certain times.

“The new concrete road will be completed at the beginning of 2020,” he said.