Eight Dead When Man Tries to Open Mortar

Zamboanga City, Philippines Eight people died in a UXO explosion in the Philippines. According to officials, a 21-year-old man, Marcelo Antogan, found a rusty mortar in a local river and took it to an open field to tinker with. Believing there may be gold or other valuables inside, the man began attempting to open the UXO. Using a hammer and repeatedly hitting the device, Antogan accidentally set off the explosive.

The detonation killed six people at the scene, and two more victims died from injuries in the hospital. Five others were injured and were hospitalized for their subsequent injuries. It is unknown whether the mortar was a WWII relic or a more recent explosive from fighting between the government and Muslim rebels.