Thousands Flee Cambodia Capital Amid Apparent Coup

An apparent coup plunged Cambodia into chaos Sunday, with tanks rumbling through the capital and thousands of terrified residents trying to flee fighting between the country’s feuding premiers.

Mortar, rocket and machine-gun fire sent residents streaming out of Phnom Penh by foot, bicycle and motorbike. Scattered rocket and mortar rounds pounded the capital, setting fire to a fuel dump.

Forces loyal to Second Prime Minister Hun Sen tried to shut down roads out of Phnom Penh, but they could not stop the widespread exodus.

Hundreds of people lined the banks of the capital’s Tonle Sap River, desperate for a ferry ride to safety.

Armored personnel carriers and tanks roared through Phnom Penh’s streets while Hun Sen went on national radio to deny he was leading a coup attempt. He has accused his rival, First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh, of preparing for war.

*

The country’s airport remained closed. Phone lines were restored by evening.

Ranariddh said he fled Cambodia for France on Friday after hearing about the impending coup.

At least nine people have been killed since Hun Sen launched his putsch Saturday, according to hospital officials and diplomats. Fifty others have been seriously wounded.

The weekend’s battles erupted after weeks of rising tensions and isolated clashes. Hun Sen says his action was a preemptive move against what he called a plot by Ranariddh to attack his forces.