PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Fourteen garment factory workers lost their lives and 93 others sustained injuries in two separate vehicle crashes that occurred Saturday across Cambodia, with the majority of victims being women.
Cambodia’s textile industry serves as the nation’s primary source of export revenue, relying on affordable labor costs to remain competitive. Workers typically earn between $200-300 monthly, including overtime pay.
The deadlier of the two accidents took place in Kampong Chhnang province, situated roughly 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Phnom Penh, the capital city. A large cargo truck collided with an open-bed truck that was transporting employees to their workplace, resulting in nine fatalities and 53 injuries, the Labor Ministry reported in an official statement.
The second tragedy unfolded in Svay Rieng province in the southeastern region, an area known for its concentration of garment manufacturing facilities. A worker transport bus left the roadway and rolled over, claiming five lives and injuring 40 additional passengers.
Open-bed trucks serve as the standard transportation option for factory employees. These vehicles typically provide no seating or bench arrangements, leaving riders to remain standing throughout their commute, which dramatically elevates the potential for serious injuries or fatalities during accidents.
In response to the incidents, the Labor Ministry expressed being “deeply shocked by two horrific traffic accidents that occurred simultaneously” and urged rigorous adherence to traffic regulations to avoid future tragedies.
Data from the Transport Ministry reveals that traffic collisions claimed 1,467 lives in 2025, establishing vehicle accidents as the predominant cause of accidental deaths throughout the Southeast Asian country.
The nation’s textile manufacturing sector, which includes apparel, footwear, and travel goods production, provides employment for approximately 800,000 to 1 million workers across roughly 1,900 manufacturing facilities. According to the country’s Ministry of Commerce, this industry generated over $15.5 billion in export revenue during the previous year.
