Unexploded Military Flare Washes Ashore

Cape May, New Jersey  Lifeguards patrolling a beach area known as "The Cove" discovered an item that appeared to resemble a military mortar. Believing the item was safe to move, the lifeguards transported the 18" long item to the Beach Patrol Headquarters. The lifeguards then called police who responded along with the Atlantic City Bomb Squad.

The bomb squad identified the item as an unexploded white phosphorus military flare. Reportedly, the flare body was pitted indicating that it was old. Authorities did not release the exact MK/Mod or nomenclature of the flare and did not indicate how old they thought the military flare was or how the flare may have ended up on the beach.

Concerned that the flare was too dangerous to handle further, the bomb squad dug a hole in the beach and disposed of the item through open detonation. The image below shows the bomb squad preparing the beach area for the disposal shot. The beach was closed to the public during the disposal operation but re-opened after the bomb squad gave the all clear.

Editor's note - Although the item did not explode when initially transported by the lifeguards, it is highly recommended that only qualified UXO and/or EOD personnel handle, move or transport munitions and/or explosives. Under no circumstances should the public or any un-trained person or persons handle, touch or move military munitions or explosives.