Cambodia sacks minister over building collapse as toll rises to 28

SUN RETHY Kun / AFP

A top official has been sacked in Cambodia over his failure to take responsibility for the collapse of an under-construction building that left 28 people dead.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the decision to fire Nhim Vanda, deputy director of the National Committee on Disaster Management on facebook, because of a "lack of responsibility, and for lying" over the disaster,

Nearly 24 people were injured and many feared trapped under the mountain of steel and rubble after the Chinese-owned building crumpled early Saturday in Sihanoukville.

Investigators are trying to determine what caused the seven-storey structure to collapse, with four people detained for questioning.

In a rare move, governor of Preah Sihanouk province Yun Min submitted his resignation and apologised for his "shortcomings".

More from International News

  • US Senate passes Trump's tax-cut, spending bill; sends to House

    The Republican-controlled US Senate passed President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill on Tuesday, signing off on a massive package that would enshrine many of his top domestic priorities into law while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

  • France shuts schools as heatwave grips Europe

    More than a thousand schools were closed in France on Tuesday and the top floor of the Eiffel Tower was shut to tourists as a severe heatwave continued to grip Europe, triggering health alerts across the region.

  • Blow for Thailand's government as court suspends PM from duty

    Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending a case seeking her dismissal, in a major setback for a government under fire on multiple fronts and fighting for its survival.

  • Trump signs order lifting sanctions on Syria, White House says

    President Donald Trump has signed an executive order terminating a US sanctions programme on Syria, allowing an end to the country's isolation from the international financial system and building on Washington's pledge to help it rebuild after a devastating civil war.

Blogs