Charges Pending Following Pain in the Butt Munitions Response

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.

"Washed Out" Ordnance Destroyed by EOD

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.

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Beached Anti-tank Mine Detonated by EOD

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.

Military Marine Marker Washes Ashore

Lennox Head Beach, Australia Police were called to Lennox Head Beach to reports of a UXO that washed ashore. Officials from the Richmond Police District Rescue Squad secured the area, and the Australian Defence Force responded to detonate the marine location marker through a controlled explosion.

Officials took the opportunity to remind the public that if potential ordnance is found, leave the suspected item in place and contact local police immediately.

Two 'Significant' WWII Ordnance Finds Lead to Mass Evacuations

Plymouth, England A 400-m cordon was established in the Millbay area following the discovery of a 50-kg German WWII bomb on a building site in Plymouth. Schools, hotels and homes in the area were forced to evacuate while explosive specialists responded.

A second unexploded WWII bomb was also found in Exmouth at the same time, forcing some 2,000 homes to be evacuated. This bomb remains on a dredger in the marina while investigations continue. Officials described it as a "significant piece of ordnance".

Thai Explosive Technicians Clear BM-21 Impact Zones in Surin Province

Surin, Thailand a bomb disposal unit from the Surin Provincial Police have commenced extensive post-conflict clearance operations along the Thai-Cambodian border, following recent cross-border exchanges involving heavy artillery and rocket fire. The primary objective was the assessment and remediation of agricultural sectors that were subjected to barrages of BM-21 Grad rockets and artillery shells originating from the Cambodian side of the border.

Explosives technicians focused on impact crater analysis to determine the functionality of the ordnance used. Preliminary inspections of craters in the Naeng Mut sector indicate that the majority of the BM-21 warheads functioned as designed upon impact. The BM-21 Grad (Russian for "Hail") is a Soviet-designed truck-mounted 122mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System (MRLS).

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Ordnance Detonated on "UK's Most Dangerous Beach"

Chichester, England Selsey Coastguard was called to Medmerry Beach following reports of a suspicious object. The coastguard team photographed the object and sent the pictures to EOD.

The item was declared safe and not ordnance, however the EOD team did carry out a controlled explosion on another item, before lifting the cordon.

Medmerry Beach is notorious for ordnance finds and has been called the "UK's most dangerous beach" by national media due to the frequency of explosive finds in the area.

WWII Grenade Found in Hong Kong Park

Aberdeen, Hong Kong A WWII British grenade that was discovered in Aberdeen Country Park, Hong Kong, was disposed of by EOD with no injuries according to a police spokesperson.

The grenade was reported as a "Model 36M" and measured four inches long and 2.5 inches in diameter. It was found by staff from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department filling a hole along a walking path. No evacuation was necessary, but a 328-ft cordon was established prior to the in-place controlled detonation.


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