Kandal province police are investigating an explosion outside the home of a union activist that critically injured two of her children, police said Sunday.
Siblings Tha Sotheara, 8, and Tha Vichey, 3, were playing in the garden at around 5 pm Saturday when the explosion was triggered, said their mother, Siem Sokheang.
They are being treated at a Phnom Penh hospital, she added.
Siem Sokheang is an activist for the Free Trade Union at the L&A garment factory in Phnom Penh’s Russei Keo district.
“My eldest daughter tried to push her young brother away… but [he was injured anyway]. I am very sorry that they are suffering instead of me,” she said. “The [explosive] was planted by someone to attack me.”
Siem Sokheang said she had recently been involved in a dispute with a rival union that is also active at the L&A garment factory.
Kien Savy district police Chief Maing Pich said police had not yet established whether the explosion was a planned attack or caused by a bomb leftover from the war. “We are investigating the matter,” he said.
FTU President Chea Mony also would not speculate whether the blast was related to Siem Sokheang’s union activities, but he urged authorities to thoroughly investigate the case.
