Kep Province, Cambodia – 28 July 2025 – Don Bosco Technical School in Kep Province observed a Day of Silence on Monday to honour the memories of two female students who tragically lost their lives in a motorbike accident over the weekend.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:00PM on Saturday, 26 July, along National Road 33 in Kompong Trach District, Kampot Province. The three students involved were travelling together on a single motorbike, heading to their homes in Dang Tong District. During the journey, their vehicle collided with a stationary truck parked along the roadside. Authorities have not confirmed whether the truck displayed adequate warning signals.
Miss Chren Sonisa died at the scene. The other two passengers, Miss Lon Sreiya and Miss Chub Ratana, were transported to a hospital in Vietnam. Miss Sreiya later succumbed to her injuries, while Miss Ratana remains hospitalised.
The school reported that the accident occurred just days after students completed a training programme on motorbike safety. Between January and July this year, there have been seven motorbike-related accidents involving Don Bosco Kep students, the majority of them male.
Tributes and Safety Awareness
In remembrance of the victims, Buddhist monks conducted a blessing ceremony at 1PM, followed by a Catholic Holy Mass at 4PM. Throughout the day, students and teachers studied Cambodia’s traffic laws as part of an expanded road safety initiative.
School director Fr. Ly Samnang Albeiro Rodas, SDB, expressed deep concern over behavioural trends affecting youth. He cited overexposure to internet content, materialistic influences, and social pressures related to substance use and mental health challenges as contributing factors.
“Our students need more than academic success. We want them to grow into good people—honest, respectful, and safe,” he said.
🚦 New Safety Guidelines Introduced
In response to the incident, the school released a set of updated rules aimed at improving student safety:
| 🛑 Rule | 📌 Detail |
|---|---|
| Motorbike use | Discouraged unless strictly necessary |
| Travel frequency | Students from outside Kep may travel home twice per month |
| Night driving | Prohibited for all students |
| Helmet rules | Mandatory, properly secured for all riders |
| Passenger limit | Maximum of two people per motorbike |
| Speed limit | Not to exceed 50 km/h |
| Dangerous behaviour | Stunts or reckless riding strictly forbidden |
| Age restriction | No motorbike use for students under 18 or in basic/secondary school |
| Parental permission | Required in writing with justification |
| Alcohol violations | Immediate loss of motorbike privileges |
| Alternative transport | Bicycle use strongly recommended |
The school called on families to join in prayer according to their faith traditions, seeking peace for the souls of the two deceased students and comfort for their grieving families.
“This is not just a school matter—it’s a community concern. Together, we must safeguard our young people’s lives and futures,” said Fr. Rodas.
