Almost 50 staff members of the Preah Vihear National Authority and civilians were trapped at Preah Vihear Temple after Thai forces began shelling the area and conducting airstrikes. National authority
Almost 50 staff members of the Preah Vihear National Authority and civilians who were stranded at Preah Vihear Temple have been safely evacuated.
According to the authority, 45 individuals, including workers, tourism agents, environmental workers and security personnel, were trapped on the Preah Vihear Temple mountain while performing their daily duties.
They were unable to leave after the Thai military began striking the temple and its surrounding areas with artillery and F-16 aircraft, at around9am on July 24.
At 10pm on July 25, the authority coordinated an evacuation, guiding the personnel down the mountain on foot via a path to the Samdech Techo Natural Village.
From there, vehicles transported them to national authority’s office at the Koh Ker Temple resort. They arrived at 6am this morning, after being stranded on the mountain for 45 hours.
The authority expressed gratitude to the leadership, relevant agencies, and all levels of the Preah Vihear provincial administration for their concern for the well-being of the staff and for facilitating the rescue operation, ensuring their safe return.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts released these images of damage to the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear Temple caused by Thai strikes. Culture ministry
