A school bus carrying students plunged into a pond in Cambodia's Kandal Province on Monday morning, killing five girls and injuring 21 others, according to local police.
The accident occurred at approximately 7:10 a.m. local time on National Road 8 in the Khsach Kandal district, about 49 kilometers north of the capital Phnom Penh, in the Prek Ta Meak area. The bus was carrying 26 students aged 12 to 14 when it veered off the road and overturned into a roadside pond.
According to Khsach Kandal District Traffic Police Chief Nov Sokhon, the driver attempted to avoid a motorcycle that suddenly appeared in front of the vehicle. While maneuvering to prevent a collision, the driver lost control of the bus, causing it to leave the road and overturn into the water. Eyewitnesses corroborated this account, stating that a motorcycle had suddenly cut in front of the rapidly moving bus, prompting the driver to brake and lose steering control.
Five girls died in the incident, with police indicating they drowned. Of the 21 injured students, three were reported to be in critical condition. All injured passengers were transported to hospitals for treatment. Local residents responded quickly to the emergency, and police credited their timely intervention with preventing additional fatalities.
The 31-year-old bus driver was detained by authorities following the accident. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.