WWII Aerial Bomb Struck by Excavator Scheduled for Disposal

Nova Gorica, Slovenia A 250-kilogram WWII aerial bomb was discovered near the Slovenian-Italian border in Nova Gorica. Preparations are underway to remove the munition. The operation is being coordinated with Italy as nearby residents will have to be evacuated.

The bomb reportedly contains around 100 kg of explosive and has been secured while awaiting disposal operations, according to Darko Zonji, head of the national unit for the protection against UXO.

Zonji said the bomb has two mechanical fuses, which is "very fortunate." "If we were dealing with chemical fuses, the measures would be completely different," he said.

Efforts to ensure safe disposal include surrounding the site with hay bales to contain the impact zone to a 400-meter radius. All residents inside the exclusion zone will be evacuated, and movement will be restricted in a 600-meter radius during the disposal operations.

The bomb was discovered during a construction project near the Nova Gorica train station. It was hit by an excavator and slightly damaged, "so it is lucky that a catastrophe didn't happen then," said Nova Gorica Mayor Samo Turel.