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WW2 bomb explodes in Viersen (Germany) September 18th

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRqX3M5zl6M

Another WW2 bomb found in Germany (this time a 500lb, Viersen), that experts were unable to defuse due to detonator deterioration. Lots of damage, nobody injured thankfully. It seems old ordnance is becoming a bigger and bigger issue these days.

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By: ericmunk - 18th September 2012 at 15:06

Same here. The Dutch EOD disarms about 1800 WW2 bombs, grenades and mines every year.

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By: AlanR - 18th September 2012 at 14:58

I believe we treat UXBs differently in the UK.

Unless they need to be moved we leave them where they are. There are still
dozens in and around London, with their locations documented.

http://www.contaminatedland.co.uk/sere-dip/estd-uxb.htm

In Germany, once a bomb is located it has to be dealt with. By the UXB
section of their fire service.

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By: Archer - 18th September 2012 at 14:33

Correct, people had been evacuated and the bomb was remotely detonated in place as they could not shift it. From the video it appears that they placed some containers around the bomb to dampen the effects but this turned out not to be enough.

Edit: you beat me to it Eric!

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By: ericmunk - 18th September 2012 at 14:31

I take it that the bomb exploded while they were working on it (remotely) ?

It was a controlled demolition after the bomb squad had determined it was both unsafe to defuse or move.

Incidently: at the same moment, a dredged up 500-lb in Hamburg was defused. Every one of them now making the news because of the blasts in München and Viersen I guess, because there’s hundreds of them defused every year in the country.

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By: AlanR - 18th September 2012 at 14:20

I take it that the bomb exploded while they were working on it (remotely) ?

Could have been nasty !

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By: Newforest - 18th September 2012 at 13:39

Wow! Fortunately a long way from me, probable destination was Dusseldorf. Amazing it looks as though the apartment building was built around the bomb.:D

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By: QldSpitty - 18th September 2012 at 13:30

Oooowwwwwwwwwww…

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