Cluster munition blast injures three utility workers in north-west Cambodia.

An unexploded cluster submunition, often referred to as a "bomblet," resting in dry grass. The device is cylindrical and dark-coloured, with a distinctive white nylon ribbon (stabilising streamer) attached to its end, used to orient the munition as it falls. AKP

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The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has issued an urgent warning about the deadly legacy of cluster munitions after a blast injured three electricity workers in the country’s north-west yesterday.

The incident took place in the Banteay Ampil district of Oddar Meanchey province while the three were conducting routine maintenance on the power grid. Officials confirmed that the workers suffered injuries ranging from minor to severe, emphasising the “indiscriminate danger” posed by unexploded ordnance (UXO) decades after hostilities ceased.

In a formal statement, the CMAA expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families and pledged to coordinate medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term support services.

The authority said that the explosion acts as a grim reminder of the long-standing reality Cambodia often presents to the international community: the humanitarian consequences of cluster munitions do not cease when the guns fall silent.

“Explosive remnants of war continue to pose grave threats to lives, disrupt livelihoods, and hinder national development for decades,” the CMAA stated. The organisation emphasised that victims are overwhelmingly civilians—including farmers, labourers, and children—going about their daily lives in former conflict zones.

To prevent further casualties, the CMAA urged private sector firms and development partners operating in border areas to coordinate their activities with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC). The authority emphasised that professional surveys and clearance operations are the only effective safeguards for those working in high-risk regions.

Cambodia continues to be a vocal supporter of removing landmines and cluster munitions worldwide. The CMAA reaffirmed its dedication to a “responsible and humane” approach to addressing the country’s war legacy, pledging to maintain its partnership with international donors to promote community safety. AKP