Midi excavators uncover WWII 500kg bomb in Tigné

The 3 Regiment's EOD (Explosives Ordinance Disposal) Troop was dispatched to the location to conduct investigations.

EOD technicians confirmed that the reported object was unexploded ordinance - a World War II, 500kg German General Purpose air-dropped weapon.

Workers discovered the shell buried about 6 metres below the surface during excavation works. Several such reports are received by the AFM every year, especially in areas surrounding Valletta harbours which were subject to the sustained bombings during WW II.

Safety procedures were carried out to remove the danger from the area and render the weapon safe. These weapons still pose a significant risk of detonation, even though several decades have elapsed since they were used.

Another 3 Regt's sub-unit had to be called on site in order to shift, load and transport the 70 year shell to a safe place. Members of the Engineer Squadron's Plant Troop assisted their EOD colleagues to safely transport the weapon to a secure area were it will be disposed of by EOD divers in the coming days.