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Petrol tanker explodes after crash, killing five

A Lexus SUV crashed into a PTT Cambodia Limited petroleum truck in Koh Kong on Saturday, causing an explosion and killing all five passengers on the SUV, as well as seriously injuring the driver and passenger of the petroleum truck. Photo supplied
A Lexus SUV crashed into a PTT Cambodia Limited petroleum truck in Koh Kong on Saturday, causing an explosion and killing all five passengers on the SUV, as well as seriously injuring the driver and passenger of the petroleum truck. Photo supplied

Petrol tanker explodes after crash, killing five

A lexus crashed into a petroleum truck on Saturday morning in Koh Kong, causing an explosion and killing all five passengers in the SUV and seriously injuring the driver and passenger of the petroleum truck, police said on Sunday.

Sun Nem, police chief in Sre Ambel district, identified the victims as Theng Davon, 28, who worked as a public transportation officer in Kampot province, and his four relatives, Chan Vanna, 21, Heng Sorya, 25, Vong Rithy, 26, and Chhem Ratha, 21, who all died at the scene. The car collided with a petroleum truck belonging to PTT Cambodia Limited.

Nem said Phan Vibol, 26, the driver of the petroleum truck, and his younger brother, Phan Song, 18, were transported to a hospital in Phnom Penh with serious injuries.

“According to the video clip that our police collected and measuring the accident site, this traffic accident [was] caused [by] the Lexus driver,” he said, adding that he tried to pass another car and hit the petroleum truck travelling in the opposite direction, causing the explosion.

Firefighters contained the blaze after the incident, and police collected the victims’ bodies to transport them to Ochrov pagoda for cremation, said Nim Sovanny, police chief in Boeung Preav commune.

The remains of the SUV and petroleum truck were impounded at the traffic police station in Sre Ambel district.

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