Cambodian premier describes explosion at his provincial compound

Earth Times
http://www.earthtimes.or

Posted : Tue, 30 Jun 2009
Author : DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen gave details Tuesday of an ammunition truck explosion in his provincial compound, saying the blast sent a rocket flying over the roof of his house. Hun Sen said the explosion occurred at 7 pm on Sunday and was sparked after a member of his elite bodyguard unit lit a cigarette near a fuel leak in a truck laden with rockets and other explosives.

"We heard a large explosion and my grandchildren became scared and ran to hug me," he said in a speech at a university graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh. "I was playing chess at the time."

He said one rocket flew over his house and into a coconut palm, but it did not detonate.

Security officials earlier refused to provide information on the explosion, saying only that two bodyguards were injured.

"About 30 rockets were destroyed in the blast, but they did not detonate," he said. "Only the bodies of the rockets were damaged and if they had detonated, then the explosion would have been much bigger."

Hun Sen apologized to residents in the area surrounding the compound, located about 20 kilometres south of Phnom Penh, who he said were "horrified" by the explosion.