• An ammunition explosion at a military base in Cambodia has claimed the lives of twenty soldiers.
• Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed shock at the incident in southern Kampong Speu province.
• The government will organize and finance a funeral ceremony for the soldiers who perished.

Officials report that an ammunition explosion at a military base in Cambodia has claimed the lives of twenty soldiers. Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed profound shock at the blast in the country’s southern Kampong Speu province on Saturday.

No explanation has been provided for the explosion. The prime minister has instructed the government to pay compensation to the families of deceased soldiers and those injured.

In a statement on Facebook, Mr. Manet expressed his “deepest condolences” to the families of the soldiers killed. Unverified footage on social media captured multiple explosions in the incident, which occurred around 14:45 local time (07:45 GMT).

Other images depict a destroyed warehouse, a damaged military truck, and medical staff treating a child with gashes. The Cambodian army stated that the incident involved a “warehouse ammunition explosion” that obliterated a truck loaded with weaponry.

A private news agency reported that an office building, as well as nearby barracks, were destroyed, affecting 25 nearby homes. Mr. Manet announced that authorities would promptly organize and finance a funeral ceremony for the soldiers who perished in the incident.

Families of the deceased will receive $20,000 (£16,000) each, while injured soldiers will be granted $5,000.

“I would like to pray for the soul of the soldiers to rest in peace, and also wish the soldiers and victims a speedy recovery,” he said.

An explosion at a military arms depot near Battambang in 2005 claimed the lives of five Cambodians and injured three others.

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