They discovered and safely handled a MK-82 500 lb bomb. This bomb was found less than 50 meters away from residential houses and marked the third bomb found and detected by the BAC team in this area.
The bomb lied deep into the ground
CHA1123 has a total area of 274,771 square meters, CM technically surveyed by NPA and QTMAC handed over clearance operations for PTVN QT on March 21, 2023.While conducting clearance operations at check box 18435, BAC1 team discovered another large bomb buried 0,6 meters deep in the ground at a 45-degree angle. This was on a plot of land where the locals had recently replanted cassava crops, with some just beginning to sprout. The excavation required for bomb clearance would significantly impact the cultivated area. BAC1 team leader conducted extensive outreach to convey locals about their activities and the purpose of eliminating the dangers posed by explosive remnants of war, aiming to ensure the safety of every resident's livelihood and daily lives. Mr. Pa Do, the garden owner, agreed to allow the team to proceed with the excavation of the bomb.
After its discovery, BAC1 team leader Mr. Ho Sy Thanh directed the team to seal off the area, set up warning signs, and immediately informed local authorities and residents working or living nearby about the clearance operation. Each team member went to every house to inform the inhabitants, ensuring they stayed clear of the hazardous area where the bomb excavation was to take place. Subsequently, measurements and inspections revealed it was an MK82 bomb, measuring 274mm in diameter, 1,54m in length, weighing 227 kg, with 87,10kg of explosives. The nose fuse M904 was broken, and lacking a tail fuse, rendering it safe for the team to proceed with relocation. After nearly 3 hours of work, with assistance from EOD1 team, the bomb was successfully loaded onto a specialized vehicle and transported to a safe assembly area.
The locations of the 3 bombs found at CHA 1123 - Huong Loc.
- From MK81 on July 19, 2023, to MK82 on August 9, 2023: approximately 126 meters.
- From MK82 on August 9, 2023, to MK82 on December 14, 2023: approximately 95 meters.
- From MK82 on December 14, 2023, to the residential area: approximately 30 meters.
Comment: In 2023, a significant number of bombs and explosive remnants of war (ERW) were discovered and handled by PTVNQT clearance teams in areas where residents had been farming for many years. This highlights the potential risk of mine and ERW accidents if not definitively addressed and also responses to many opinions and arguments that have suggested that mine and ERW clearance in long-inhabited and cultivated areas is a waste and useless. However, the actions of PTVNQT clearance teams have garnered substantial support from the local populace, communities, and authorities through tangible evidence and firsthand witness accounts from the people.
Source: BAC/PTVNQT
