WWII Era Bomb Found in Popular Diving Area

Marsascala, Malta Recreational divers diving on Munxar Reef found a large bomb on the sea bed in approximately 35 feet of water. The divers reported the find to the police who contacted the EOD dive team from the Armed Forces of Malta Ammunition and Explosives Company (3rd Regiment). EOD responded identified the bomb as a WWII era German HE filled Sprengcylindrische (SC) general demolition bomb.

The unexploded bomb which weighed over 2,000 pounds was raised to the surface with the use of air-lifting bags. Once the bomb was on the surface, EOD conducted a render safe procedure and subsequently towed the bomb further out to sea for open detonation disposal.

The German SC series of bombs are made of thin steel with a comparatively heavy pointed nose welded onto the bomb. The rear ends of SC series bombs are threaded to accept a female base plate. The tail attachment brace is tack-welded to the body just forward of the base plate. SC bombs are loaded with either cast TNT, powdered amatol, or trialen.