CMAC retrieves nearly 200 UXO units from shipwreck
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(Phnom Penh Post) On March 16-17, a specialised team from the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) found and retrieved nearly 200 pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from a sunken warship in the Mekong River in Prey Veng province’s Peam Chor district.
CMAC director-general Heng Ratana told The Post on March 20 that most of the ammunition found and retrieved during the two-day operation was still operational. The shells were 76mm, 29mm and 100mm calibres.
He said the ammunition was transported by ship across the Mekong from Vietnam to be used in the war in Cambodia between 1970 and 1975. The vessel was presumably sunk because Khmer Rouge forces had attempted to capture the ammunition. Lon Nol’s forces, backed by US aid, sank the ship to deny the munitions to the Khmer Rouge fighters.