At least 13 garment workers lost their lives, and over 30 others were injured in two distinct road accidents in Cambodia. The first collision occurred in Kampong Chhnang province, resulting in eight fatalities and 10 severe injuries. In another tragic incident in Svay Rieng province, five workers died, five were seriously hurt, and 16 sustained minor injuries.
Transporting workers in open trucks or buses to and from factories is a common practice in Cambodia. The country’s garment, footwear, and travel products industry, which includes over 1,800 factories and branches, employs around 1.1 million workers, predominantly women. Road traffic accidents during the traditional New Year holiday this year claimed 17 lives, a decrease of 34% from the previous year.
Authorities reported a total of 27 road accidents during this year’s holiday period, attributing the main causes to factors like speeding, failure to follow traffic rules, and driving under the influence of alcohol. Road accidents are a significant contributor to fatalities and injuries in Cambodia, costing the nation an estimated 466 million US dollars annually. In 2025 alone, road accidents in the country resulted in 1,467 deaths and 3,213 injuries.
