Lum Phat Wildlife Sanctuary Office Attacked, Set Ablaze After Villager's Death

In Ratanakiri province, Cambodia, a group of villagers attacked and set fire to a ranger station at the Lum Phat Wildlife Sanctuary on the afternoon of September 6, 2026. This incident followed the death of a resident in a motorcycle accident earlier that day. Local police reported that on the morning of September 6, three park rangers from the Lum Phat Wildlife Sanctuary and one volunteer were patrolling in the Prey Meas area, located in Thmey village (Sre Chrey), Chrey Oudom commune, Lumphat district. During their patrol, they discovered approximately 80 villagers entering the protected forest area to mine for gold. The park rangers educated and advised the villagers to cease their activities and return to their homes. However, later that afternoon, it was reported that a villager had died after falling from a motorcycle while traveling home. The deceased was reported to be a resident of Ror Ya village, Ror Ya commune, Koh Nheak district, Mondulkiri province. Following this incident, some villagers accused the park rangers of causing the death, alleging that the rangers had pursued the victim, leading to a panicked fall from the motorcycle. However, park rangers have denied these accusations, stating that the team did not pursue, arrest, or fire any weapons. They clarified that their actions were limited to educating the villagers and advising them to leave the protected area and return home. After the villager's death, tensions escalated. Around 4 PM, a large number of villagers from Ror Ya village proceeded to the Sre Chrey sub-station. Reports indicate that the villagers vandalized and destroyed property within the station before setting the building ablaze, causing significant damage to the sub-station's assets. The exact cause of the villager's death, including the accusations of pursuit and gunfire, has not yet been confirmed by an independent investigation. Relevant authorities are currently investigating both the death of the villager and the incident of vandalism and arson at the sub-station to ascertain the truth and take legal action if perpetrators are identified. This event highlights the tensions between the enforcement of laws protecting natural areas and the activities of villagers seeking natural resources within wildlife sanctuary areas.