Ten children dead in Cambodia after boat sinks

By AFP October 14, 2022 | 05:12 am PT

Volunteer rescuers search in the sea for survivors close to the location where a boat carrying Chinese nationals sank off the coastal town of Sihanoukville, Cambodia September 23, 2022. Photo by Reuters/Cindy Liu

At least 10 children were killed and one was missing in Cambodia after a boat that was ferrying them home from an English class sank in the Mekong river.

The small boat was overloaded and sank about 50 m (160 feet) from its destination in southeastern Kandal province after it began taking on water late Thursday, local police chief Am Thou told AFP.

"It's a sad accident," Am Thou said.

The victims were aged between 12 and 15, while two adult boat operators and two students were rescued, he added.

In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his condolences and urged people to be cautious during heavy floods that have raised the level of the Mekong.

Boat accidents are common in the Southeast Asian nation, with people who live along the river reliant on the vessels for transport.

In 2009, an overloaded river ferry capsized in northeastern Cambodia, killing at least 17 passengers.