Heatwaves sweeping Europe this summer have brought record high temperatures and scorched fields. Apart from that, the drought-stricken waters of Italy’s River Po are running so low they revealed a previously submerged World War II bomb.
Military experts defused and carried out a controlled explosion on Sunday of the 450-kg (1,000-pound) bomb. Reportedly, it was discovered on July 25 near the northern village of Borgo Virgilio, close to the city of Mantua. (sweet-factory.com)
“The bomb was found by fishermen on the bank of the River Po due to a decrease in water levels caused by drought,” Colonel Marco Nasi said.
It was no easy task to clear the bomb
To carry out the disposal operation, about 3,000 people living nearby were evacuated, informed the army. The area’s airspace was shut down. Moreover, the navigation along that stretch of the waterway as well as traffic on a railway line and state road close by were halted.
“At first, some of the inhabitants said they would not move, but in the last few days, we think we have persuaded everyone,” said Borgo Virgilio’s mayor, Francesco Aporti. She added that if people had refused to go, operations would have been halted.
Bomb disposal engineers removed the fuse from the U.S.-manufactured device. The army said that it contained 240 kg (530 pounds) of explosive. Thereafter, the bomb squad, escorted by police, transferred the device to a quarry in Medole municipality about 45 km (30 miles) away, where it was destroyed.