24 die in Cambodian road accidents

Twenty-four people died and and 169 were injured during Cambodia's three-day Pchhum Ben festival, an official said Monday.

Transport Department director Preap Chanvibol said the csualties were two lower than last year's while the number of those injured went up by 21 percent from 139, reports Xinhua.

"Speeding and drunken driving are the main causes of such accidents during the celebrations," he added

Pchhum Ben is the country's second largest festival after the Khmer New Year. It honours the dead by offering food and other items and recitations by Buddhist monks.