FBI Investigates For Stolen Munitions in UXO Accident

El Paso, Texas The FBI is leading a multi-agency investigation following a tragic accident in which two women were injured in an explosion of a 40 mm round which destroyed their pickup truck. The names and conditions of the two women have not been released, but they were reportedly mother and daughter.

County Sheriff Deputies are still investigating the case in which the pair allegedly stole the munitions from the ranges at Fort Bliss as they were collecting scrap metal.

The ranges, which are federal property, are off limits to the public. Warning signs are posted along the borders of the restricted land.

Largest MPPEH Processing Operation in India Underway

Punjab, India India's military is conducting their largest munitions scrap processing exercise to date to process over 17,000 munitions and related debris. The munitions and scrap metal were initially found in a busy industrial port facility back in 2004. The material was reportedly shipped to a steel company in India from the gulf region. The Indian Army 202 Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) is involved in the inspection and processing of the material potentially presenting an explosive hazard (MPPEH). The Commanding Officer of the BDU reported that munitions items found or suspected to be intermingled with the scrap include mortars, projectiles, grenades, rockets, detonators, and artillery shells of various caliber.

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Illegal Scrap Metal Collector Dies On Range

Fort Bragg, North Carolina a 47 year old man from Hamlet, North Carolina was killed when a UXO item he was handling exploded. Reportedly, the man was illegally scavenging for scrap metal on an active artillery range when the accident occurred. A second unidentified man assisting in the illegal scrap metal collecting operation was not injured. The Army released a statement that the two men were not employees of the base. A full investigation is underway by law enforcement and Army officials on the incident. The investigation will undoubtedly include searches of the residents of each of the two men involved to determine if other munitions items have been removed from the ranges.

Munitions Found At Recycling Center

Anaheim, California Workers at the Anaheim Recycling Center discovered three munitions items mixed in with scrap metal piles awaiting processing. Recycling center management called the police to report the find. Local police and firefighters responded with technical support provided by the Orange County Bomb Squad. The recycling center was evacuated while the bomb squad technicians inspected the munitions. The technicians determined that two of the munitions were inert and did not pose any explosive safety hazards. However, the third munition appeared to be live.

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DoD Updates MPPEH Policy Guidance

Washington, D.C. DoD has reissued its policy Instruction (DoDI) 4140.62 on Material Potentially Presenting an Explosive Hazard (MPPEH). The policy is a re-issue of the policy initially issued back in December of 2004. The updated policy introduces at least two new acronyms (MDEH and MDAS) and includes an enclosure that outlines specific procedures for the management of MPPEH. Some of the key changes that will impact the UXO industry are outlined below.

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