Authorities discovered and defused 240 cluster bombs hidden in rice fields.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of July 28, the Nghi Loc District Military Command, in coordination with the Engineering Battalion of the Nghe An Provincial Military Command, excavated and moved 240 cluster bombs from Nghi Truong commune to a safe location.

Earlier, on July 24th, a local resident accidentally discovered an object suspected to be an American bomb under the rice field of Mr. Nguyen Dang Huan's family in Hamlet 15, Nghi Truong Commune.

The cluster bomb, with its casing detached, was buried 1 meter below the surface of the field. Photo: Nhat Tuan

After receiving information from the Nghi Truong commune authorities, the Nghi Loc District Military Command promptly dispatched a task force to the scene. Through verification, the task force determined that this was a cluster bomb left over from the American war.

The Nghi Loc District Military Command proceeded to cordon off the area, erect warning signs, and guard against access to the scene. Simultaneously, the unit reported to higher authorities, requesting the deployment of engineering troops to assist in the remediation efforts.

Engineering troops remove cluster munitions from the casings of larger bombs. Photo: Nhat Tuan.

On the morning of July 28th, the Engineering Battalion of the Provincial Military Command, the Nghi Loc District Military Command, along with leaders of the Nghi Truong Commune People's Committee and militia, proceeded to excavate and remove the bomb.

This cluster bomb, with its casing detached, lies about 1 meter deep underground. Inside and around the casing are 240 unexploded cluster bomblets. After being unearthed, the bomblets were placed in styrofoam boxes and transported to a safe location for disposal according to regulations.

Small cluster bombs are packed in styrofoam boxes for transport and disposal. Photo: Nhat Tuan.

Major Tran Van Duc, from the Engineering Corps of the Nghe An Provincial Military Command, stated: "This is the first time our unit has handled a cluster bomb with its casing intact, containing a large number of smaller bomblets. Most of the bombs were still capable of exploding. If not detected and destroyed, the bombs would have caused unimaginable consequences."

Nhat Tuan