Detecting and handling 240 cluster bombs in rice fields

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of July 28, the Nghi Loc District Military Command coordinated with the Engineering Department - Nghe An Provincial Military Command to remove and move 240 cluster bombs in Nghi Truong commune to a safe place.

Previously, on July 24, a 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 mother bomb had its shell removed and was buried 1 meter deep in the field. Photo: Nhat Tuan

After receiving information from Nghi Truong commune authorities, Nghi Loc District Military Command promptly sent a working group to the scene. Through verification, the working group determined that this was an American mother bomb left over from the war.

Nghi Loc District Military Command blockaded, put up danger signs, and kept people from entering the scene. At the same time, the unit reported to superiors and requested the deployment of engineering forces to coordinate the response.

Engineers remove cluster bomblets from the mother bomb casing. Photo: Nhat Tuan

On the morning of July 28, the Engineering Department of the Provincial Military Command, the Nghi Loc District Military Command, along with leaders of the People's Committee and militia of Nghi Truong Commune, dug up and moved the bomb.

This mother bomb had split open and was lying about 1 meter below the ground. Inside and around the bomb casing were 240 unexploded bomblets. After being unloaded, the bombs were put into styrofoam boxes and transported to a safe place for destruction according to regulations.

Cluster bombs are packed in foam boxes to be transported for destruction. Photo: Nhat Tuan

Major Tran Van Duc - Engineering Department of Nghe An Provincial Military Command said: This is the first time the unit has handled a mother bomb with intact shell, containing a large number of sub-bombs like this. Most of the bombs are still capable of exploding. If not detected and destroyed, the bombs will cause unpredictable consequences./.

Nhat Tuan