A walk in the forest ended in disaster after a 62-year-old man from Głubczyce took an artillery shell home. Years later, the dud exploded in his flat, injuring him and a friend.
Wartime Shell Returned from the Forest
A resident of Głubczyce found an artillery shell during a walk in the nearby forest. He decided to take the unusual find home and keep it as a souvenir from the Second World War. Such objects, although they may seem harmless, can pose a deadly danger even decades later.
Explosion in the Flat – Details of the Incident
The explosion occurred on Tuesday morning in an apartment building on Mickiewicza Street. Three people were in the flat: the owner (62 years old), his 65-year-old friend, and a 45-year-old woman. All of them had been drinking – the owner and the woman had over 2.5 per mille of alcohol in their blood, and the older man nearly 0.5 per mille.
Two people were injured in the blast: the flat’s owner and his friend. Their lives are not in danger, but both were taken to hospital. Material losses included a window, which was blown out of the building.
Rescue Operation and Evacuation
Police and sappers secured the scene. A wartime mine was also found in the flat, which police sappers took to a training ground for neutralisation.
A total of 36 people were evacuated from the building and neighbouring houses. After the rescue operation ended, residents were able to return to their homes.
Dangers Associated with Unexploded Ordnance
What Should You Keep in Mind?
If you find any shell, mine or unusual wartime „souvenir”:
- Never move, touch or try to „defuse” an unexploded device
- Secure the area against access by other people
- Immediately notify the Police or emergency services
- Sappers have specialist equipment to neutralise such threats
The risk of explosion can extend up to several hundred metres, so caution is essential.
