In a devastating incident, an ammunition explosion at a military base in Kampong Speu province, southwestern Cambodia, resulted in the tragic death of 20 soldiers and left several others wounded. The news was confirmed by Prime Minister Hun Manet, who expressed his deep shock at the unfortunate event in a Facebook post. Although the cause of the explosion remains unknown, authorities are currently investigating the incident.

Images from the scene depict the aftermath of the blast, with several buildings severely damaged and smoldering. One building even had its roof blown off, underscoring the intensity of the explosion. Injured soldiers were promptly rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, as documented in distressing photographs. Furthermore, neighboring houses also suffered damages, with roofs displaying puncture holes.

Col. Youeng Sokhon, an army officer present at the site, reported that the explosion obliterated four buildings, including three storage facilities and one work facility. Several military vehicles were also damaged in the blast. In addition to the military infrastructure, 25 villagers' homes were affected by the explosion, exacerbating the gravity of the incident.

The region where the explosion occurred had been grappling with a prolonged heat wave, with temperatures reaching a scorching 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) on the day of the incident. Although high temperatures alone usually cannot trigger ammunition detonation, they can gradually compromise the stability of explosives over time. This raises the risk of a seemingly small explosion igniting a fire and causing a chain reaction.

According to eyewitness accounts, a major explosion took place at approximately 2:30 p.m., followed by smaller blasts that persisted for about an hour. Pheng Kimneang, a nearby resident, described the shattering of windows in a factory close to the explosion site. Even homes located up to a kilometer (half-mile) away sustained minor damages. Notably, the base itself is situated in an open field, with no civilian structures in close proximity.

Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and assured them that the government would cover funeral expenses and provide compensation for both the deceased and the injured. As a former army commander and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Hun Manet assumed the role of prime minister last year following the long tenure of his father, Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for an impressive 38 years before stepping down.

The investigation into the cause of the ammunition explosion is ongoing, and the government will be working diligently to prevent similar incidents in the future.