UXO, ERW operations in Mekong
THE Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and an inter-ministerial task force organised a public forum ahead of operations to recover unexploded ordnance (UXOs) and shipwrecks from the Mekong River in Prey Veng province.
The January 28 forum, which aimed to hear the publics’ concerns and suggestions, was held in Kandal province’s Leuk Dek district. In attendance were officials from CMAC as well as the ministry of Interior, Economy and Finance, National Defence, and Mines and Energy.
Addressing the forum, CMAC director-general Heng Ratana explained how the recovery and clearance of explosive remnants of war (ERW) and the removal of shipwrecks from the river makes an important contribution to national security, the Kingdom’s waterways transport systems, and public safety, each of which is an important factor in national development.
“Once our waterways and riverbeds are cleared of ERWs, we expect to see many large international cruise ships bringing tourists to Cambodia.
“It’s time for us all to work together to remove all of the UXOs, because there are still many places that must be cleared,” he said.
Mong Sokunthearoth, director of CMAC’s underwater operations unit, reported that to date, the Kingdom’s waterways have recorded 384 UXO explosions, some of them major ones.
He explained that between 1969 and 1973, more than 10,000 bombs were dropped in the Mekong, some of them as heavy as 925kg. Many of the aerial bombs had failed to explode, and still represent a risk. In addition, many warships and cargo ships full of ammunition were sunk during the 1970-1975 war.
Sokunthearoth added that in Koh Chek commune’s Koh Peam Reang village, in Prey Veng province’s Peam Chor district, the CMAC unit has recovered 21,556 UXOs and 221 tonnes of ships wreckage.
According to an underwater operation unit statement, its Peam Chor district operations will be expanded to 1,690,000sqm of river near Prek Sambour commune’s Khpob village, as well as 97,350sqm near Koh Roka commune’s Chrey Thmey village.
The team has been planning these operations since mid-2023, and intends to deploy 100 CMAC deminers and their specialised equipment, along with 12 National Police officers.