11 school children dead in Cambodian ferry mishap

Officials say overcrowding and sharply rising water levels caused by heavy rains led to the disaster.

At least 10 school children, aged between 12 and 14, are dead and one other is missing after a ferry sank while crossing flooded waters around the Mekong River, southeast of Phnom Penh, police and rescuers said.

Police said 15 students were returning from English classes on the night of Oct. 13 and were about 50 meters from shore when the ferry sank. Two students and two boat operators were found alive while search and rescue operations were continuing.

The sinking occurred in Leuk Dek district, Kandal province, after students left school and boarded a boat for home in Koh Chamroeun village, on an islet, where some 300 families live.

In full: https://www.ucanews.com/news/11-school-children-dead-in-cambodian-ferry-mishap/99089

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