3 people killed in lightning strike at Angkor Wat temple complex...Cambodian authorities shush, why?
May 20, 2025
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According to foreign media such as The Straits Times and the Associated Press, lightning struck during a traditional religious ceremony held amid rain at around 5 p.m. on the 16th (local time).
Most of the victims are said to be Cambodian nationals.
Videos posted on social media show two ambulances arriving after the accident, and witnesses and on-site officials moving the injured and helping others.
But Cambodian authorities say the spread of negative information could adversely affect tourism"It is known that online posts related to this are deleted.
In addition, authorities have not released accurate information about the incident.
However, an official confirmed to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity that three Cambodians were killed by lightning. The local Red Cross, which is helping the families of the victims, also seems to be keeping quiet.
Meanwhile, Angkor Wat is Cambodia's best-known tourist attraction, attracting about 2.5 million people every year.
With an area of about 400 square kilometers, the remains of the Khmer Empire capital from the 9th to 15th centuries remain, and UNESCO has designated it as one of Southeast Asia's most important archaeological sites.
Cambodia is eager to develop the region by opening a new airport with an investment of $1.1 billion (about 1.53 trillion won) in nearby CMLip to attract more tourists.
However, human rights groups strongly protested and UNESCO expressed concern when Cambodian authorities tried to relocate about 10,000 households living near Angkor Wat to a new settlement.
Cambodian authorities have said they are moving voluntarily, but other groups, including Amnesty International, are questioning how voluntary the migration really was.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
