Bombs and grenades: Around 105 tons of ammunition discovered
Every year, thousands of people in Hesse have to leave their homes. The reason: contaminated sites from the Second World War. Once again this year, dangerous explosive devices have been discovered in Kassel, Frankfurt, Hanau, Darmstadt and Giessen. According to the regional council in Darmstadt, which is responsible for the entire state, 105 tons have been found so far this year. That is more than in previous years.
The finds included the entire range. "Practically everything, from small infantry ammunition to grenades and aerial bombs weighing between 50 and 500 kilograms," the regional council told the German Press Agency in response to an inquiry. Bazookas and mines were also discovered.
According to the authorities, 29 bombs have been found among the explosive waste so far. Two had to be detonated. One in Kassel in August and one in Hanau in March. 24 bombs were defused elsewhere on site; three no longer had a functioning detonator and could therefore be removed by the explosive ordnance disposal service without defusing them.
"The number of finds depends largely on construction activity," says the regional council. As a result, there have been slightly more finds and deployments since the coronavirus pandemic. The ammunition finds are defused by specialists from the explosive ordnance clearance service.
Anyone who wants to work as an explosive ordnance disposal specialist in Hesse needs a certificate of competence in accordance with the Explosives Act. Applicants must have specialist knowledge of clearance and ammunition technology and know how the ammunition works. They must also be informed about the use of ammunition in the First and Second World Wars and have experience in defusing, destroying or transporting such explosive ordnance. The specialists in Hesse are supported by private companies.
Due to the increasing number of discoveries, emergency response teams are busier than ever this turn of the year in Hesse. The consequences of the Second World War continue to pose emergencies, as demonstrated by the 105 tons of ammunition found so far, the majority of which are potentially dangerous explosives.
Source: www.dpa.com
