Seven people are have been confirmed dead after their overcrowded boat sank in the coastal waters off Koh Kong Province in Cambodia, the Phnom Penh Post has reported.
The tragedy occurred on Monday (February 15) after a family hired a boat for a pleasure trip out to sea.
"They took a small boat that normally takes five or six people, but there were twelve people in the boat," Toun Sela, a governor of Koh Kong's Sre Ambel district was quoted as saying.
Mr Sela attributed the mishap to carelessness.
Cambodia's Department of Hydrology did not report of unusual weather conditions, the report added.
"Most boat owners do not care about the safety of renters. They always overload boats," the report quoted Mao Hak of the department as saying.
Cambodia is to soon commence a public awareness campaign about water safety and has urged people to adhere to advisories.
The bodies of the victims have, meanwhile, been sent to Koh Kong pagoda for funeral arrangements.
Sammy Lee
