13 Killed in Cambodia Bus Crash Near Angkor Wat En Route to Phnom Penh
A devastating accident in Cambodia has claimed the lives of at least 13 people and injured more than two dozen others after a passenger bus plunged off a bridge into a river while traveling from Siem Reap — home to the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex — to the capital city, Phnom Penh. South China Morning Post+2ABC News+2
The Accident
In the early hours of Thursday morning, a sleeper/night bus was navigating the predawn darkness in Kampong Thom province when it veered off a bridge, crashed through the barrier, and fell into the water below. The Straits Times+2News-Press NOW+2 The precise crash site was identified as O’ Prasat Bridge in Chey Chumnas village, Kakoh commune, Sandan district. The Straits Times
Local authorities responded swiftly: rescue teams pulled dozens of people from the canal, while the bus was later hoisted out of the water to recover the bodies. The Independent+1 A provincial police officer told the media that the water beneath the bridge was particularly deep — around five meters — making rescue efforts especially challenging. The Straits Times
Victims and Passengers
According to police, the bus was carrying around 40 passengers, all of them Cambodian nationals. ABC News+2Fire Engineering+2 At least 13 of them lost their lives in the crash. South China Morning Post+1 Another two dozen or more were injured and transported to a hospital in Kampong Thom province. ABC News
Deputy provincial police chief Siv Sovanna confirmed that the bodies of the deceased were being kept at a nearby hospital until their families could identify and collect them. South China Morning Post
Preliminary Cause: Driver Fatigue
Investigators believe driver drowsiness may have played a critical role in the tragedy. The bus had departed Siem Reap late at night, and officials suggest the driver may have fallen asleep, failing to maintain control. ABC News+2The Independent+2 According to a local policeman, there was no evidence of a collision with another vehicle: the bus seems to have struck the right-side barrier of the bridge before plunging into the river. The Straits Times
At least two drivers were assigned to this overnight route, alternating shifts. Al Jazeera However, it remains unclear whether the driver who crashed was one of them, or whether he survived. ABC News
Response & Rescue Efforts
Rescue operations continued throughout Thursday. Authorities used cranes to lift the bus from the water to facilitate body recovery. Al Jazeera Meanwhile, the injured were rushed to local medical facilities. South China Morning Post
The deceased are being held by authorities while they await family members. South China Morning Post Local police expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims, acknowledging the “heartbreaking” nature of recovering bodies from submerged, water-filled wreckage. The Straits Times
Safety Context in Cambodia
This tragedy underscores ongoing concerns about road safety in Cambodia. Traffic accidents are common, and the country has been grappling with high numbers of road fatalities. The Washington Post+1 According to recent data, in 2024 alone, 1,509 people died in road crashes across Cambodia. South China Morning Post+1 Reports suggest that by the first nine months of 2025, over 1,000 additional fatalities had already been recorded. The Washington Post
Driver fatigue, especially on long overnight routes, is frequently cited as a factor in serious accidents. When buses travel at night without adequate rest breaks or driver rotation, the risk of drowsiness-related incidents rises sharply.
Broader Impact
For many Cambodians, the Siem Reap–Phnom Penh route is familiar — not only for tourists visiting Angkor Wat, but also for locals traveling between provinces. The crash has reverberated widely, particularly because it involved a bus starting in a city synonymous with Cambodia’s cultural heritage. The Independent
Families of the victims are now left to grapple with sudden loss, while many others are calling for stricter regulation of bus companies, better driver training, and more robust enforcement of safety standards. The tragedy is likely to reignite debate on how to improve road safety infrastructure and protect passengers on long-haul bus routes.
Government and Public Reaction
Authorities, including the National Road Safety Committee, are expected to launch a deeper investigation into the crash. Al Jazeera There’s growing public pressure for accountability, especially around bus operators and transport regulations. As rescue and recovery continue, authorities are also urging families of the missing to come forward for identification.
Experts note that without systemic reforms — better rest breaks for drivers, more frequent inspections, and stronger safety protocols — similar tragedies may recur. For now, the memory of the 13 lives lost hangs heavily over Kampong Thom, a tragic echo of how fragile travel can be.
