Kompong Speu , Feb. 12 – Villagers in Kompong Speu’s Kong Pisey district reported to Mine Authority on Monday that they found a bomb.
Cambodian Mine Action Authority confirmed on the same day that it is the American M117, a 300-kilogram general purpose bomb that can be employed in several different configurations, allegedly dropped by US airplane MK82.
The basic M117 dates from the Korean War and uses a low-drag tail fin for medium and high-altitude deliveries.
The bomb will be taken out today, director general Heng Ratana said.
So far, the US-dropped bombs were discovered in Kandal, Takeo, Kampong Speu, Sihanoukville, and Koh Kong provinces.
According to CMAC’s database with the confirmation of the former US President Bill Clinton in 2000, the US had dropped approximately 2.8 million tons of bombs during 1963 to 1975.
These bombs were used with the excuse to stop the Vietnamese from invading Cambodia. In fact, more than 500,000 of Cambodian victims were killed and thousands of houses were destroyed.
