A massive wildfire in France has led to the discovery of dozens of unexploded World War II grenades buried beneath a forest.
BORDEAUX: A raging forest fire in France has uncovered a dangerous reminder of World War II, and it’s something firefighters never expected to find.
Explosive ordnance experts have recovered 75 unexploded grenades from a forest area on France’s Atlantic coast after the country’s biggest wildfire of the season swept through the region.
The discovery was made near the village of Le Porge, where residents had reported hearing mysterious explosions as the wildfire burned through the forest.
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It turns out those weren’t just trees exploding in the heat.
The intense fire exposed decades-old military explosives that had remained buried underground since World War II.
“We were on a mission last week and found this field, where we removed 75 shells,” said Philippe Delemotte, head of the Bordeaux Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service.
Experts believe the wildfire burned away thick vegetation and exposed the hidden explosives, allowing bomb disposal teams to safely identify and remove them.
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Finding old ammunition in Europe isn’t unusual, especially in areas that saw heavy fighting during World War II. However, wildfires can make these discoveries even more dangerous because extreme heat can trigger explosions or expose weapons that have remained hidden for decades.
The recent wildfire has already caused widespread damage across parts of France’s Atlantic coast, destroying large areas of forest before firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control.
Bomb disposal teams are expected to continue searching the affected area, as officials believe more unexploded military equipment could still be buried beneath the forest floor.
The unexpected discovery is another reminder that, even more than 80 years after World War II ended, dangerous wartime explosives continue to surface across Europe.
Zoya Siddiqui is a Staff Writer at TheBrewNews.com, where she covers stories on the environment, history, culture, and emerging trends. Holding a degree in Creative Writing, she combines a passion for storytelling with a keen eye for detail, bringing fresh perspectives to every piece she writes. With a deep appreciation for wildlife and the natural world, Zoya enjoys exploring stories that inform, inspire, and spark meaningful conversations.
