A rocket-propelled grenade exploded in Cambodia on Saturday, February 22, killing two toddlers. The weapon, a remnant of the country’s civil war, detonated near their home in northwestern Cambodia, officials confirmed on Sunday, February 23.

Explosion in a Former War Zone

The blast occurred in a remote village in Siem Reap province, a region heavily affected by battles between government forces and Khmer Rouge rebels in the 1980s and 1990s. The victims, a boy and a girl—both two years old and cousins—were playing in the dirt when they struck the buried grenade, triggering the explosion. Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), explained the details. “According to an investigation report, the two toddlers were playing on the ground, digging the soil, and may have hit (the grenade) with an object that caused the explosion,” he said. One child died instantly, while the other succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Heng expressed sorrow over the ongoing dangers of wartime remnants. “The war has completely ended, and there has been peace for more than 25 years, but the blood of Cambodian people continues to flow because of landmines and the remnants of war,” he added.

Ongoing Landmine Threat and Demining Efforts

This tragedy highlights Cambodia’s ongoing struggle with unexploded ordnance. The government recently resumed demining operations after a temporary suspension. Previously, funding had been halted when US President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign aid. However, US officials recently granted a waiver, allowing demining efforts to continue.

The Legacy of Landmines in Cambodia

Cambodia remains one of the world’s most heavily mined countries. Decades of conflict, starting in the 1960s and ending in 1998, left thousands of unexploded weapons scattered across the land. Since 1979, landmines and unexploded ordnance have killed around 20,000 people and injured more than 40,000. Fatalities remain common. Just last month, two deminers died while removing an anti-tank mine from a rice field. Additionally, a villager lost his life after stepping on a landmine on his farm.

Challenges in Clearing Landmines

Authorities estimate that over 1,600 square kilometers (620 square miles) of land remain contaminated, affecting nearly a million Cambodians. The government originally aimed to clear all landmines by 2025. However, due to funding shortages and newly discovered minefields along the Thai border, the deadline has been extended by five years.