Seven people, among them an 11-year old boy, his 15-year old brother, and 13-year old sister, died while trying to retrieve 3,000 riel (or 75 cents, in USD) from the bottom of a well in a poor farming village located in the northwestern province of Siem Reap. Autopsy results show that all seven people died due to lack of oxygen. Although the well was only 5-meters in depth, police officers concluded that oxygen did not circulate properly at the bottom, leading to the suffocation of all seven individuals.
The accident occurred late Saturday, 31st of May. According to Che Chhan whose siblings were amongst the dead, her father dropped the money amounting to 3,000 riel (or 75 cents) into the well while trying to fetch water from it. "My youngest brother thought the amount of money was huge for poor people like us," Che Chhan said in an interview. Her 11-year old brother jumped into the well to retrieve the lost valuables but when he did not surface a few minutes later, others followed to retrieve both him and the money. Chhan's 13-year old sister and 15-year old brother also died along with four neighbors.
According to a report by local police officer, Muy Norn, all seven people died due to lack of oxygen at the bottom of the well.
Although the country is known as one of the most exotic travel destinations in the world, Cambodia is also one of the world's poorest nations. Twenty percent of Cambodians live below the poverty line while the average daily wage sits at only $2 per day.
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