© AFPPreliminary assessments suggest the absence or insufficiency of a lightning protection system at the Angkor Wat temple site may have contributed to the incident.
The incident occurred at about 5pm during a traditional spiritual ceremony held by local Cambodians atop the temple amid rainfall. Most of the victims were Cambodian nationals.
As at the afternoon of May 17, the Cambodian authorities have yet to release an official statement confirming the number of casualties.
Preliminary assessments suggest that the absence or insufficiency of a lightning protection system at the temple site may have contributed to the incident.
Following online reports of the tragedy, many Cambodians on social media have called for the news to be taken down to avoid alarming potential tourists and to protect the country's image.
THE NATION THAILAND/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
"Lightning strikes had killed 50 people in Cambodia in the first eight months of 2024, down nearly 22 percent from 64 deaths over the same period 2023, a disaster control spokesman said on Saturday.
Besides the fatalities, thunderbolts injured 43 others during the January-August period this year, said Soth Kim Kolmony, the spokesperson for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM).The provinces with the highest number of lightning strikes were Siem Reap, Battambang, Prey Veng, Tboung Khmum and Banteay Meanchey, he said.
" To avoid the dangers of lightning strikes, people, particularly those living in rural areas, should stay in houses or shelters when there is storm or rain, " he told Xinhua. [Link]
So much for the "...spiritual ceremony held by local Cambodians atop the temple amid rainfall." Me thinks the spirits are not amused.