Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association

Four Dead in Crowd Surge Outside Tycoon’s Villa During Gift Event

Authorities stand outside tycoon Sok Kong’s house in Phnom Penh on Jan. 23, 2025, after a crowd surge left four dead and five injured. The crowd had gathered to receive monetary gifts from Kong. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)
Authorities stand outside tycoon Sok Kong’s house in Phnom Penh on Jan. 23, 2025, after a crowd surge left four dead and five injured. The crowd had gathered to receive monetary gifts from Kong. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)

At least four people died and five were injured in a crowd surge outside a tycoon’s villa, where people had gathered hoping for Chinese New Year monetary gifts.

On Thursday morning, hundreds gathered outside the gated villa of Sok Kong, a real estate mogul and founder of the Sokimex petroleum conglomerate, hoping to receive “ang pao” – red envelopes traditionally filled with money – an annual event hosted by Kong.

Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesperson Sam Vichhika confirmed four deaths and five injuries, adding that the deceased included two men and two women, all around 50 years old.

Witnesses told CamboJA News the ordeal resembled a “stampede,” with security guards trying to push people out as the crowd trampled over each other.

Yoeun, 62, traveled from Kandal province hoping to receive money from Kong, saying poverty drove her to make the trip.

Yoeun said “thousands” crowded in within hours after she arrived at Kong’s villa, but chaos broke out before she received any money. She recalled struggling to free herself from a pile of bodies as many people passed out from the crush.

“I saw with my own eyes two dead and six injured, including both the elderly and young. People were pushing back and forth, like at Koh Pich,” Yoeun said, referencing the 2010 stampede on Phnom Penh’s Diamond Gate bridge that killed more than 350.

Pov, who also escaped the surge, echoed Yoeun’s account, saying hundreds of people, young and old, pushed and trampled each other for an ang pao.

“I ran when I saw the crowd. Each ang pao is worth $10 or more, which is a lot for poor people,” Pov said.

Daun Penh district police chief Tieng Chansar, who inspected the scene, declined to comment to a CamboJA News reporter.

“They came in crowds to receive gifts, but the poor weather made it hard to breathe, causing some to faint,” Vichhika said, offering a different account than witnesses who described chaos and trampling. He added that Kong’s family offered 15 million riel (about $3,700) to each family of the deceased and $1,000 to the injured.

Authorities stand outside tycoon Sok Kong’s house in Phnom Penh on Jan. 23, 2025, after a crowd surge left four dead and five injured. The crowd had gathered to receive monetary gifts from Kong. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)
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