UXO Disposal Operation Upsets Marine Conservation Groups

Marseille, France Workers uncovered a WWII era U.S. 500 pound bomb from a construction site. The police were called and the area around the construction site was secured. The responding bomb squad decided to leave the bomb in place for over two weeks under tight security while plans were made for its disposal. Authorities needed the time to organize the safety plan which involved evacuations and warnings to over 10,00 workers and residents within the travel path to the selected offshore disposal site.

The offshore site, 18 miles off the coastline of Marseille, was selected as it was away from coral beds and other known sensitive areas. Although the project was safely executed, French environmental and marine conservation groups were reportedly upset over the decision to dispose of the bomb offshore due to the potential impacts to marine life. To counter these concerns, smaller charges were set off first using timers to scare away fish and marine life before the main disposal charge was initiated.