64 hurt when packed Cambodian garment worker truck flips

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – An overloaded truck carrying Cambodian garment workers swerved and flipped over after a tire exploded Wednesday, leaving 64 passengers injured including several in critical condition, authorities said.

The truck was packed with 75 people and far over capacity, which caused the one of its rear tires to explode, said Police Maj. Khim Sam On. He said the truck was carrying double or even triple its permitted weight.

The accident occurred in northern Kampong Speu province, the same area where two trucks transporting garment workers crashed in January killing five people and injuring 65.

Khim Sam On said the workers in Wednesday morning’s crash worked for a Taiwanese-owned factory in nearby Kampong Chhnang that produced shoes but he did not immediately have other details.

Cambodia’s clothing and footwear industry is the country’s biggest export earner, employing about 700,000 people in more than 700 garment and shoe factories, including those that supply major Western brands such as Gap, H&M, Adidas and Nike. In 2015, the Southeast Asian country shipped about $7 billion worth of products to the United States and Europe.

Road accidents are a leading cause of death in Cambodia. According to report from Transport Ministry, more 2,000 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2015.