Base Issues Warning Ahead of Scheduled Underwater UXO Detonation

Eglin Air Force Base, Florida Air Force officials have issued an advisory to the public of a planned demolition in Choctawhatchee Bay on October 24-25. Divers from the Navy EOD Mobile Unit Six, a detachment from Panama City, have plans to clear six 500-pound WWII-era bombs in a controlled underwater demolition. The ordnance was found during a routine investigation of the Bay Legacy Range.

People, vessels, and any water-based activities must remain clear of the controlled demolition from 0700 to 1200 each day. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Coast Guard Destin will be on the scene during the removal to ensure proper safety protocols are enforced.

The UXO was found south of Black Point, near the Shalimar Pointe Golf Club. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, any vessel attempting to transit through the safety zone must contact the on-scene patrol commander, who can be contacted on VHF Channel 83 or 16.

Failure to comply with the safety zone requirements may face a civil penalty of up to $111,031, imprisonment or both. For more information, contact the Eglin Public Affairs office at 850-882-3931.

Drought Leads to UXO Threats in Danube River

Prahavo, Serbia A drought has led to decreased water levels in the Danube River, revealing sunken German WWII vessels, including torpedo boats and barges. These ships, which have been submerged for 80 years, are now posing challenges to modern navigation, particularly in the Djerdap Gorge.

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CS Grenade Discovered in Oklahoma Lake

Lake Murray, Oklahoma A scuba diver found an unexpected artifact while exploring a lake in south-central Oklahoma lake, a live CS gas grenade. The man was diving in Marietta Landing area of 5,700-acre Lake Murray when he discovered what appeared to be "some type of bomb," the Love County Sheriff's Office reported in a social media post.

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Magnet Fishermen Discover Large Quantity of Explosive Devices

Failsworth, England Magnet fishing enthusiast, Sophie Doyle, was one of a small group of magnetic fishermen who discovered over 1,000 potential underwater explosive items in a canal at Daisy Nook Country Park. Police, EOD, and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service responded to the call of what is believed to be railway track explosives.

In a social media post, Doyle said that the devices "seem to be absolutely everywhere" in the canal and that the police and bomb squad were "in shock when they saw what we had all retrieved from the water."

A cordon was in place for several hours while the items were removed and taken away for testing. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said, "Officers were called to a report of possible unexploded devices found in a canal in Daisy Nook Country Park in Stannybrook Road, Failsworth, just after 5.30pm on Sunday. All devices were removed and the area open again at 9pm. Devices were taken away by the EOD for testing."

English Fishing Vessel 'Nets' WWII Bomb

Portsmouth, England The discovery of what was first thought to be a torpedo, prompted a warning to vessels on the Solent, a strait between the Isle of Wight and Great Britain. A fishing vessel dragged up the UXO in its nets, prompting an overnight response from Royal Navy EOD.

It was confirmed that the ordnance was a WWII German SC500 bomb and not a torpedo. The bomb was safely destroyed by a controlled explosion.

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UK Coastguard Issues Warning Regarding Military Flares

Sandymouth, United Kingdom A Coastguard team in North Cornwall issued a warning regarding military flares on Cornish beaches. The Bude Coastguard Rescue Team published the warning after it was called to two separate incidents in 24 hours involving military-grade flares.

One of the flares found was marked 'US Navy'. The flares are typically usually used for search and rescue operations or to cordon off areas. The warning posted to the Bude Coastguard Rescue Team's social media page, read, "Bude Coastguard Rescue Team were paged for a second time today at 16:49 and once again tasked to investigate a report from Sandymouth Lifeguards of a second phosphorous submarine flare that had been washed up onto the beach and discovered by a member of the public who subsequently handed it to the lifeguards. Understanding the serious danger posed by the object, the lifeguards placed the flare by the cliff face nearby and created a safety cordon."

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UXO Off Molokini Crater Will Not Be Detonated in Place

Maui, Hawaii Two WWII bombs off Molokini Crater will be left in place until a non-explosive removal option is developed, according to a statement from Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The decision not to detonate the munitions in place was based on a state-requested assessment from the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB).

Environmentalists, community members and lawmakers expressed concern over the detonation of WWII UXO in the waters off the crater which could cause possible irreversible damage to coral reefs, ocean life and the island itself.

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Ordnance Washes Ashore

Suffolk Beach, United Kingdom Police officer were called to respond to a call from a civilian walking the beach concerning a potential UXO find. Police inspected the item and notified an EOD unit from Colchester for assistance.

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Ordnance Exposed As Tide Recedes

Sandwich Bay, United Kingdom HM Coast Guard and Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) EOD personnel responded to reports of ordnance finds along the beach. An exclusion zone was established around the items as teams prepared for demo operations.

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High Tide Hinders Detonation of Corroded, Beached Ordnance

Mexico Beach, Florida Tyndall Air Force Base EOD responded to the Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe area for a corroded cluster of suspect WWII-era ordnance that washed ashore. The items were heavily corroded and an attempted demolition / disposal had to be rescheduled when the initial detonation failed due to the rising high tide.

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