A child was killed and two other injured when unexploded ordnance (UXO) units they were playing with went off in Sala Visay commune of Kampong Thom province’s Prasat Balang district on October 9, according to Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) director Heng Ratana.

Ratana said that before the incident, the three boys found a number of mortar shells while tending to their cows. They picked them up and pounded them, causing an explosion.

He urged the general public to help spread the word to their children about the dangers of mines and explosive remnants of war.

“If you come across any UXO units, please don’t touch them and report to our CMAC team or the nearest local authorities so that we collect them timely,” Ratana said.