7 in Cambodia die while trying to retrieve 75 cents in well

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—Seven people died from a lack of oxygen after climbing down a well in Cambodia to retrieve about 75 cents, police and relatives said Sunday.

The incident happened late Saturday in a remote area of the northwestern province of Siem Reap when an 11-year-old boy and six other people went into the well to collect 3,000 riel (75 cents). The boy’s older sister, Che Chhan, said their father had accidentally dropped the money when taking water.

She said her 13-year-old sister and 15-year-old brother also died, as well as four of her neighbors.

“My youngest brother thought the amount of money was huge for poor people like us,” Che Chhan said by phone.

Police officer Muy Norn said the victims died due to a lack of oxygen at the bottom of the 5-meter-deep well.

Cambodia is one of the world’s poorest countries.