A high school located in the northeastern region of Cambodia has been compelled to temporarily shut down due to the discovery of thousands of unexploded munitions. Despite the passage of 48 years since the conclusion of its brutal civil war, Cambodia still grapples with being one of the world's most extensively mined nations.

During the time of the civil war, the Queen Kosomak High School in Kratie province was utilized as a military base. Photographs depict numerous rusty explosives systematically arranged in rows, including grenades and anti-tank launchers among them.

Over a span of three days, more than 2,000 pieces of ordnance were uncovered, as shared by Heng Ratana, the director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, in a statement to AFP news agency. These munitions were unearthed while clearing the ground for a garden expansion, and further discoveries are likely if the entire school premises are excavated.

Mr. Heng stated, "It is a fortunate circumstance for the students. These explosive devices are highly sensitive and could be triggered if accidentally hit while digging into the ground."

As a precautionary measure, students were instructed to avoid the school premises until the cleanup operation concluded, which was estimated to take approximately two days. Despite the end of Cambodia's eight-year civil war in 1975, the nation continues to grapple with its aftermath.

Widespread landmines that dot the country have resulted in the tragic deaths of more than 64,000 individuals and an additional 25,000 amputations have been recorded since 1979, as reported by The Halo Trust.

The Cambodian government has vowed to clear all landmines and unexploded artillery by 2025.

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