Thai M46 cluster bomb explodes during CMAC operation, no casualties reported
Thai M46 cluster bomb explodes during CMAC operation, no casualties reported
#National
A M46 cluster bomb used by the Thai military on Cambodia exploded during a clearance operation conducted by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) on Wednesday. No injuries or damage were reported, according to CMAC Director-General Heng Ratana.
Ratana said CMAC forces were carrying out mechanical clearance operations to remove unexploded ordnance in Chok Puok village, Sla Kram commune, Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province, an area affected by remnants of war.
During the operation, CMAC teams discovered 10 M46 cluster submunitions. Nine of the devices were safely extracted and neutralised. However, one cluster bomb detonated while being removed.
“The explosion did not cause any harm to our personnel or damage to the machinery,” Ratana confirmed, adding that safety procedures were properly followed during the operation.
He also issued a strong warning to residents who have recently returned to areas affected by shelling and armed conflict, urging them to remain extremely cautious of unexploded ordnance scattered in villages, farmland, and residential areas.
“Unexploded weapons remain a serious threat. We ask all returning residents to stay alert and avoid touching any suspicious objects,” he said.
CMAC urged the public to immediately report any discovery of unexploded bombs or munitions to local authorities, police, or the nearest CMAC team so that emergency action can be taken promptly, by calling the emergency CMAC contact numbers by province: Preah Vihear: 097 222 2735/081 611 113 /097 567 7678/097 886 6284, Oddar Meanchey: 097 857 5666/097 721 0200, Banteay Meanchey: 097 200 1141/012 231 441/097 676 2338/017 954 444, Battambang: 097 200 1238/071 955 1168/012 383 959/086 627 769, Pursat and Koh Kong: 093 666 16/088 866 6169/096 506 4447 /016 917 791, Siem Reap: 067 554 444/011 554 444/012 565 168.
