A boy was killed and another three injured after an unexploded ordnance (UXO) they were playing with detonated in Kampong Speu province’s Ka Ek Porng village on Monday.

Deputy district police chief Suon Chan said the four friends were minding cattle in a field when Ngorl Taing Heng found a metal device that was later determined to be an M79 grenade launcher shell.

Taing Heng hit the shell with a stone, causing it to detonate and killing him instantly.

“After the accident, the three seriously injured boys were rushed to the emergency unit at Kampong Speu provincial hospital. The body of the deceased boy was sent to his family for a traditional funeral ceremony,” he added.

Authorities had then put up signs prohibiting people from entering the area in case there was more unexploded ordnance there, Chan said.

The three boys were identified as Soun Rath, 12, Yem Svit, nine, and Yem Khmao, six.