10.11.2026 15:52
In Cambodia’s Kandal province, a school bus carrying 26 students veered off the road and overturned into a pond while trying to avoid a motorcycle that appeared in front of it. In the accident, 5 female students lost their lives, and 21 students were injured, 3 of them seriously. The regional traffic police chief stated that the deaths most likely occurred as a result of drowning. It was learned that the vehicle did not belong to the school and was rented by the families. The 31-year-old driver was taken into custody.
In Cambodia, 5 female students lost their lives in an accident that occurred when a vehicle taking students to school overturned into a pond. Police stated that thanks to the timely intervention of local residents, the death toll did not increase further.
OVERTURNED INTO A POND IN THE MORNING HOURS
The accident occurred at 07:10 local time in the Khsach Kandal district of Kandal province, on National Road No. 8. The student shuttle traveling in the Prek Ta Meak area north of the capital Phnom Penh went off the road and overturned into a pond by the roadside.
LOST CONTROL WHILE AVOIDING A MOTORCYCLE
Khsach Kandal District Traffic Police Chief Nov Sokhon announced that the shuttle overturned and fell into the pond after maneuvering to avoid hitting a motorcycle that came in front of it. Witnesses also said that a motorcycle suddenly appeared in front of the fast-moving shuttle, and the driver, who hit the brakes, lost steering control.
5 FEMALE STUDENTS LOST THEIR LIVES
At the time of the accident, there were 26 students aged 12 to 14 in the shuttle. In the accident, 5 female students lost their lives, and 21 students were injured, 3 of them seriously. Sokhon stated that the deaths most likely occurred as a result of drowning. Local media reported that the students who lost their lives were trapped in the vehicle and could not be rescued.
LOCAL RESIDENTS RUSHED TO HELP
After the accident, local residents and officials rushed to the pond to rescue the students. Police said that if local residents had not rescued the students in time, the death toll could have been even higher. The injured students were taken to hospitals.
THE VEHICLE WAS A PRIVATE SHUTTLE RENTED BY FAMILIES
It was learned that the students were going to the Prek Ta Meak branch of BELTEI International School. Ly Bunchhay, Deputy General Manager of BELTEI Group, explained that the vehicle did not belong to the school and was not operated by the school, but was rented by families to transport the students.
THE DRIVER WAS DETAINED
Police detained the 31-year-old shuttle driver to take his statement. The bodies of the students who lost their lives were handed over to their families for traditional funeral ceremonies.