Ratanakiri provincial governor Nhem Sam Oeun has announced that the authorities will conduct an investigation into the illegal use of fertilisers or pesticides by a Vietnamese-owned banana plantation. It is believed that poisoning by chemicals may have caused the death of six workers at the plantation in Koun Mom district this month.
Governor Sam Oeun said that between June 16 and 27, six men who were employed with the Thako Chamkar Chek Agrico Company at the plantation died. He added that according to examinations conducted by a medical doctor from the Sre Angkrang Health Centre, the six men died from food poisoning or chemical poisoning.
Sam Oeun: “Provincial authorities suspect that the victims died because they touched and absorbed chemicals provided by the company owner to grow bananas on the plantation. If it is found that the company used banned chemical fertilisers or pesticides containing banned chemical substances, the owners of the company will face legal action.”
The owner of Thako Chamkar Chek Agrico Company has not yet commented.
Source: khmertimeskh.com