Families of PMT Crash Victims Still Waiting for Compensation

Compensation has not yet been paid to the families of Cambodians kil­led in the PMT Air plane crash in Kam­pot province in June, an airline of­ficial and several relatives said Wednesday.

PMT Director Sar Sareth said that the families have not been com­pensat­ed because the airline’s Lon­don-based insurer is still awaiting do­cumentation proving that those seek­ing indemnity are related to the crash victims.

“[The insurance company] does not want to pay compensation to the wrong people,” Sar Sareth said, though he declined to reveal the name of the insurer or when compensation would likely be paid.

PMT Air’s flight U4 241 crashed in mountains in Kampot province while flying from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville on June 25. All of the plane’s 22 passengers and crew‚ which included five Cambodians, 13 South Koreans, three Czechs and a Russian, died.

Sar Sareth said that the South Korean victims’ families have been compensated already.

“For the Korean victims there is no problem, but for the Cambodian victims the insurance firm needs more details and documents,” he said, adding that PMT hopes to resume flights between Siem Reap and Sihanoukville next year.

An Sim, 37, a cousin of deceased PMT staff member Top Chanthu, 26, said his family provided PMT with all the required documents around a month ago, but still have not been told when they will receive compensation.

“We have provided documents of family records to PMT and we are still waiting,” he said.

Heang Sorphon, 37, who lost her husband, PMT co-pilot Uth Chan­da­ra, 46, said she also submitted documents that were verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and which she translated into English at her own ex­pense, but still has heard nothing from PMT.

“I am facing difficulties in my life without my husband,” she said, adding that she has requested $30,000 to $40,000 in compensation from the airline.

“I have little work to do, and I make little money to send my kids to school,” she added.

(Additional reporting by James Welsh)

 

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