A devastating bus accident in Kampong Thom province early Wednesday claimed at least 13 lives and left more than 20 others injured, local authorities confirmed. Several passengers remain unaccounted for following the incident.
The crash occurred around 3:20 a.m. local time when a long-distance bus operated by Virak Rithy Transport, carrying 37 passengers, lost control after colliding with a bridge guardrail along National Highway 6 between kilometer markers 152 and 153. The vehicle plunged into a river approximately five meters deep, according to local reports.
Rescue teams recovered the severely damaged bus from the river by 8:30 a.m., discovering 13 bodies inside, including eight women. Dozens of injured passengers were transported to the provincial hospital, with multiple victims reported to be in critical condition. Rescue crews continue to search the surrounding river area for any missing passengers.
Police investigations indicate the accident was likely caused by driver fatigue, as there were no signs of collision with other vehicles. Most passengers were asleep at the time of the crash, which may have contributed to the high number of casualties.
Authorities have called for heightened caution on Cambodia’s highways, especially during overnight travel, and emphasized the importance of driver rest to prevent further tragedies.
