Four injured and two missing after navy speedboat explosion

Four naval officers were injured and two more missing after a speedboat exploded yesterday afternoon south of Koh Sampoch in Preah Sihanouk, a navy official said.

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The explosion took place around 1:30 p.m. near Prek Chak beach, in Ream commune in Prey Nop district.

Col. Keo Sameth, a naval officer working with Ream Naval Base, said Khmer time yesterday six naval officers were on patrol and hearing the loud explosion nearby fishermen tried to rescue those who had been thrown overboard.

The fishermen saved only four men while the other two are still missing, he said.

“The outboard explosion may have been caused by a technical problem,” said Col Sameth.

“We believe the two missing officers may have drowned due to serious injuries from the blast,” he said.

He added that the four rescued victims are being treated at Ream naval base.

Lieutenant General Ouk Seiha, commander of the marine base, identified the two missing naval officers as Colonel Sok Reaksmey and Major Sopheak.

He added that the search is being carried out by naval forces from three naval bases with a warship, as well as a ferry and two speedboats.