Cambodia Night Bus Plunges Off Bridge, Killing 16 & Injuring Dozens in Kampong Thom Province

Fatal Night Bus Accident in Cambodia Claims 16 Lives, Injures Dozens

A tragic night bus accident in central Cambodia has resulted in the deaths of 16 passengers and left two dozen others injured. The incident occurred in Kampong Thom province on Thursday morning, when the bus veered off a bridge and plunged into a canal just after 3 AM local time (20:00 GMT).

Journey from Oddar Meanchey to Phnom Penh

The bus, carrying 37 Cambodian nationals, was en route from the northern Oddar Meanchey province to the capital city, Phnom Penh. According to Camboja News, it had made a stop in Siem Reap, a popular tourist hub known for the Angkor Wat temple complex, to pick up additional passengers before continuing its journey.

Rising Death Toll and Rescue Efforts

Authorities report that the death toll, initially at 13, tragically rose to 16 after rescuers completed their search of the submerged vehicle and surrounding waters. Photos shared by Interior Minister Sar Sokha on Facebook depicted the bus partially submerged as a crane worked to extract it from the canal.

Driver Suspected of Falling Asleep

Police investigations suggest that one of the two drivers operating the night route may have fallen asleep at the wheel, leading to the catastrophic crash. It remains unclear whether the suspected driver is among the fatalities.

Victim Care and Road Safety Concerns

Injured passengers received immediate medical attention at a provincial hospital in Kampong Thom, while the bodies of the deceased were transported by ambulances to their respective families. This incident casts a somber light on road safety in Cambodia. The National Road Safety Committee had previously reported nearly 700 road fatalities in the first half of 2025, a slight decrease from the nearly 800 recorded during the same period the previous year.