Three Cambodian nationals were killed and several others injured when lightning struck near the Angkor Wat temple complex late Friday afternoon, authorities confirmed. The victims were part of a group seeking shelter near the main temple of the UNESCO World Heritage site when the incident occurred.
Although no official statement has been released publicly regarding the circumstances of the strike, a government official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed the nationalities of the deceased to the Associated Press.
Video footage circulating on social media captured the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, showing ambulances arriving at the scene and bystanders assisting the injured. Additional images later emerged depicting multiple victims receiving treatment in local hospitals.
In response to the online coverage, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Hout Hak, issued a statement urging the public to refrain from sharing content related to the incident. The minister warned that the spread of what he termed “negative information” could damage the country’s tourism industry.
The Cambodian Red Cross confirmed in a statement that it had provided aid packages to the families of two victims—a 34-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman. However, the organization declined further comment.
Efforts to obtain responses from Angkor Wat site officials and regional health authorities were unsuccessful.
Angkor Wat, a symbol of Cambodian national pride that appears on the country’s flag, is Cambodia’s most renowned tourist destination, drawing approximately 2.5 million visitors annually. Encompassing around 400 square kilometers, the complex contains remnants of the ancient Khmer Empire’s capitals, dating from the 9th to 15th centuries. UNESCO has recognized it as one of Southeast Asia’s most significant archaeological sites.
The incident comes as Cambodian authorities ramp up efforts to bolster tourism in the region. A new $1.1 billion Chinese-funded airport recently opened in nearby Siem Reap, part of a broader campaign to attract more international visitors.
However, these developments have been shadowed by controversy. The relocation of approximately 10,000 families living within the Angkor Wat area to a newly developed settlement has drawn condemnation from human rights groups and concern from UNESCO. While the Cambodian government insists the relocations are voluntary, organizations such as Amnesty International have raised questions about the coercive nature of the process.