According to the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, the explosion at a military base that killed 20 soldiers was an accident

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – A massive explosion at a military base in southwestern Cambodia that killed 20 soldiers and injured many more was an accident caused by a “technical problem” caused by the old and worn out The Ministry of Defense said Thursday that it was due to ammunition that was being transported.

The army said on Tuesday that Saturday’s explosion was believed to be an accident caused by troops mishandling ammunition.

The defense ministry’s statement followed a claim by an exiled opposition politician that the explosion was an attack.

The day after the explosion, exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy claimed in a post on his Facebook page that an armed group of anti-government dissidents had caused the explosion, but did not cite any evidence to support his claim.

The Defense Ministry said that while there had been recent social media posts from “a group of extremists,” the ministry wanted to inform the media that the investigation had concluded the explosion was one accident.

It warned that anyone publishing untrue information about the explosion could be prosecuted.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Mao Phalla said Tuesday that soldiers were transporting ammunition to a warehouse when the explosion occurred, killing 20 people instantly.

He said another 11 people, including soldiers and villagers, were slightly injured by the rubble of the damaged building rather than by shrapnel.

The blast in Kampong Speu province also destroyed military vehicles and four buildings at the base and damaged homes in a village.