On Thursday evening, a bomb squad from Harghita County’s Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU Harghita) responded to a startling discovery in Tușnad Sat, Romania.
A Live Explosive Projectile
A local man, working in his yard, had come across an unexploded shell while digging. Officials confirmed it was a 76-mm explosive projectile, likely from World War II.
The bomb squad arrived quickly to secure the site and assess the shell, according to Ziare.
Once they confirmed it was live, they carefully removed and transported it to a safe facility. There, it will be stored until it can be destroyed safely.
Not an Unusual Find
Finding old munitions isn’t unusual in Harghita County, where remnants from past wars often emerge. Residents or workers frequently uncover these relics during construction or farming.
Recently, however, there’s been an increase in discoveries from licensed detectorists, who often find munitions in remote areas. Even after decades, these shells can still pose a serious threat, as their explosives remain volatile.
ISU Harghita has emphasized the importance of public safety when dealing with these discoveries. They urge anyone who finds a suspicious item not to touch, move, or strike it.
The agency also warns against lighting fires near such objects or attempting to repurpose them, which has occasionally occurred in rural communities.
Instead, anyone who finds what might be unexploded ordnance should contact emergency services immediately by dialing the emergency number.
Old munitions are highly sensitive to movement and pressure, and even a small amount of handling can trigger a detonation.
