1-ton WWII-era bomb discovered near Marseille port
(AP Photo - Bataillons Marins-Pompiers de Marseille, HO)
From Associated Press
March 18, 2012 2:06 PM EDT
This photo provided by Marins-Pompiers de Marseille, shows a de-mining expert examining a German bomb dating from World War II, before it was defused and removed in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, March 18, 2012. Officials in Marseille are evacuating an area around the French Mediterranean city's port so they can remove a 1-ton German bomb that dates to World War II.
MARSEILLE, France (AP) Officials in Marseille have evacuated an area around the French Mediterranean city's port so they can remove a 1-ton German bomb that dates to World War II.
Around 1,000 people were asked to clear out Sunday. Boat traffic has been halted and access to several coastal roads blocked. The bomb will be taken to a military base to be detonated.
It was discovered a week ago by construction workers who accidentally pierced the explosive with their back hoe.
The regional government says the bomb's ignition system no longer works but the sheer amount of explosives 1,400 pounds (650 kilograms) made it dangerous.
The bomb was apparently buried by German soldiers, who had planned to destroy the city's port, as they retreated near the end of the war.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
-- Edited by Uke on Sunday 18th of March 2012 12:11:29 PM
This photo provided by Marins-Pompiers de Marseille, shows a de-mining expert examining a German bomb dating from World War II, before it was defused and removed in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, March 18, 2012. Officials in Marseille are evacuating an area around the French Mediterranean city's port so they can remove a 1-ton German bomb that dates to World War II.
MARSEILLE, France (AP) Officials in Marseille have evacuated an area around the French Mediterranean city's port so they can remove a 1-ton German bomb that dates to World War II.
Around 1,000 people were asked to clear out Sunday. Boat traffic has been halted and access to several coastal roads blocked. The bomb will be taken to a military base to be detonated.
It was discovered a week ago by construction workers who accidentally pierced the explosive with their back hoe.
The regional government says the bomb's ignition system no longer works but the sheer amount of explosives 1,400 pounds (650 kilograms) made it dangerous.
The bomb was apparently buried by German soldiers, who had planned to destroy the city's port, as they retreated near the end of the war.
-- Edited by Uke on Sunday 18th of March 2012 12:11:29 PM
Now, Thats a Turd in the Punch Bowl!!