Hesperia, California A woman videoing debris exposed by low water levels inside the California Aqueduct in Hesperia discovered more than trash. According to a spokesperson for the Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, she reported a potential military ordnance inside the water channel.
St. Dorset, England St. Albans Coastguard responded to reports of a suspicious object was found on the beach at Chapman's Pool near Worth Matravers in Dorset. The Coastguard sent pictures of the item to Army EOD who confirmed the ID as a WWII hand grenade made of Bakelite.
This grenade is the seventh similar one found in the area in the last two years. Officials believe they could have been all buried together at the end of the war but are now being exposed following a 2024 cliff landslide.
Portreath, Cornwall United Kingdom residents were forced to evacuate their homes after WWII era UXO was discovered during environmental work in a local stream. Police were called to Penberthy Road in Portreath, following reports of a suspicious item. Officers immediately established a 100-meter cordon, closing the road in both directions and evacuating nearby properties as a safety precaution.
Kariki Village, Solomon Islands Residents of a Solomon Island village are asking for assistance from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) after the discovery of UXO along a road in Kariki Village.
The ordnance is reportedly located in an area commonly used for gardening and day-to-day activities, presenting an potentially dangerous risk to the local community, especially women and children.
One resident said, "This bomb has been here for some time, and people pass through the area every day to go to their gardens. We are very worried that an accident could happen at any time, especially involving children."
Toulouse, France Bomb disposal units responded to a French hospital to defuse a WWI-era munition stuck in a man's rectum. Medics discovered the eight-inch shell dating back to 1918 during surgery, prompting a mass evacuation of Rangueil Hospital.
Police and firefighters were also called in while bomb technicians successfully rendered the munition safe. The unidentified man is still recovering from surgery and could possibly be charged for violating France's weapons legislation.
A police spokesperson said, "He was in a state of extreme discomfort, having inserted a large object up his rectum. Emergency surgery was carried out, and the object was found to be an artillery shell dating back to the First World War."
"Worse still, it had not exploded and so bomb disposal experts had to be called to defuse the shell, with the fire brigade standing by."
The 37mm brass-and-copper shell was used by the Imperial German Army near the end of WWI. The man is scheduled to be interviewed by police pending a potential charge for handling "category A munitions", according to police.
Dartmouth, England A Coastguard team and the bomb squad were called to a beach in Dartmouth after a suspicious device was found. The munition washed ashore on Strete Gate beach, prompting the Dartmouth Coastguard Rescue Team to set up a cordon while Royal Navy EOD from Plymouth responded.
The unidentified ordnance was destroyed through remote detonation. According to the coastguard rescue team, it was the second ordnance callout in less than a week.
South Devon, England The Dartmouth Coastguard Rescue Team responded to Hallsands beach for a reported suspect ordnance. A cordon was established around the anti-tank mine, while awaiting arrival of a Royal Navy EOD team from Plymouth.
Thermal camera images were used to confirm that the cordoned area was indeed clear of people, so EOD could dispose of the UXO through a controlled explosion. According to officials, the loud detonation proved that the mine was a live device.
The Coastguard issued a reminder that if you find ordnance on the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, try to get a detailed location and remain a safe distance from it.
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