World News

Crowds visit suspected Khmer Rouge mass grave

Posted: 08/07/12 at 7:20 am EDT

DO DONTREI, Cambodia (AP) -- Crowds of people have traveled to a rural village in northwestern Cambodia after the discovery of what could be a Khmer Rouge mass grave.

Some came to search for the remains of relatives.

One survivor, Muoth Sam Khan, said he believes eight of his relatives could have been killed and buried at the site, near a former Khmer Rouge prison.

On Saturday, villagers discovered about 20 skulls and remnants of skeletons -- some with legs bound by rope -- while excavating the ground in an attempt to sell the land. Historians and researchers say there could be thousands of bodies buried at the site.

An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians died of torture, starvation, medical neglect, hard labor and execution during the Khmer Rouge's 1975-79 rule.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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