A World War II-era bomb was detonated in waters near Langeland, an island located south of Denmark. A fisherman immediately notified authorities after the 300-pound bomb became trapped in his net.
World War II Bomb Detonated
Danish Navy engineering soldiers returned the device to the water and attached a 10-kilo explosive charge, allowing for a controlled detonation. The explosion occurred at a depth of 15 meters, according to the defense department. During World War II, millions of tons of explosives were dropped, and not all of them fulfilled their mission. Some did not detonate, remaining buried in the ground or submerged in calm waters (as happened in Denmark).
Experts estimate that at least 10% of the bombs dropped during the war did not explode, meaning that thousands of these potentially deadly devices remain hidden in the ground or on the seabed. Corrosion, deterioration, and exposure to the elements can cause these pumps to become unstable over time, increasing the risk of spontaneous detonation.
Faced with this latent threat, authorities around the world are carrying out sustained efforts to locate and defuse these bombs. In the recent case at Langeland, Danish Navy engineers opted for controlled detonation, a common tactic to safely neutralize these devices.
This story was written in Spanish by Miguel Fernandez in Cultura Colectiva News
