Tourist Attempts to Clear UXO Through Austrian Customs

Vienna, Austria Panic ensued at the Vienna Airport when an American tourist traveling back to the US from Austria attempted to bring a WWII UXO home. The unidentified 24-year-old told local authorities she found the shell on a hike.

A bomb disposal unit was called in when she attempted to take the shell through customs. A portion of the arrivals and luggage section of the airport was shut down during the response. She reportedly explained to authorities that after she found it, she took it back to her hotel room and cleaned it off so it wouldn't get her clothes dirty in her luggage.

She was fined nearly $5,000 and reported to prosecutors for negligent endangerment. Despite the potentially hazardous situation, police said that passengers were never in any danger.