The bomb squad were called in after eight pieces of ordnance were suspected to have washed up in a West Cumbrian beach.
Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team was called out yesterday afternoon, Friday April 17, to Drigg beach after a member of the public called 999 to say they thought they had seen the ordnance.
Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team said: “Our team quickly arrived on scene to establish a safety cordon and conduct a search of the area.
“In total, eight suspected pieces of ordnance were located.
“The items were marked, photographed, and their co-ordinates recorded and handed over to Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists for assessment.
“A safety patrol and cordon remained in place until the rising tide safely covered the items, after which the team stood down late yesterday evening.”
At 4am today, Saturday April 18, Whitehaven and Millom Coastguard rescue teams met with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists.
Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team said: “On the ebbing tide, the items were relocated, and a safety cordon was once again established while EOD worked to make them safe.
“This operation resulted in one controlled explosion.”
Millom Coastguard Rescue Team was also called out to investigate a separate report of suspected ordnance at nearby Eskmeals yesterday afternoon. The item was later confirmed to be inert and not dangerous.
The teams said following storms, it was not rare for suspicious items to wash ashore or become uncovered due to shifting sands.
Sometimes, some of the items can be ordnance or marine pyrotechnics, which can pose a safety risk.
Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team said if you discover a suspicious item on the beach:
- Do not touch it
- Move away from the area
- Make a note of the location. Ideally a grid reference or What3Words if you can
- Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
