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Date Published: 31/07/2024

WATCH: Civil War bomb defused underwater at Alicante beach

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The explosive was hidden by sea grass nine metres below the surface on El Postiguet beach, Alicante

Buceadores de la @Armada_esp neutralizan un proyectil de la Guerra Civil en la playa de “El Postiguet” #Alicante.

Efectivos del Grupo Especial de Actividades Subacuáticas 🤿#GEAS de la @guardiacivil se percataron de su presencia durante la realización de ejercicios de… pic.twitter.com/UYGdGC7TKS
— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) July 31, 2024

It was a tense morning on Alicante’s El Postiguet beach as a team of specialised divers from the Spanish Navy successfully defused a Civil War-era bomb hidden in the depths just off the coast. A routine training exercise turned into a thrilling adventure as divers uncovered the concealed explosive device nestled among the sea grass, nine metres below the surface.

The Special Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (EDE) from the Navy's Mine Countermeasures Diving Unit (UBMCM) was conducting regular training activities when members of the Special Group for Underwater Activities of the Guardia Civil (GEAS) noticed something unusual.

Buried deep among the weeds, just 400 metres from the shore of El Postiguet beach, lay a potentially deadly explosive device.

The unexploded ordnance, a projectile from the Spanish Civil War, was completely camouflaged by marine life and was very nearly missed. After it was spotted, an urgent notification was sent to the Centre for Operations and Surveillance of Maritime Action of the Navy (COVAM) in Cartagena.

After a thorough discussion between the parties involved, the specialists proceeded with the delicate task of neutralising the device in situ. Using special explosive charges, they performed a controlled detonation designed to minimise environmental impact while eliminating the danger.

Following the controlled detonation, the specialists conducted a final verification dive to ensure the device had been successfully neutralised.

With the threat eliminated, the safety device was deactivated, marking the successful conclusion of the operation.

In other news: Expect delays and disruption as Alicante airport staff go on strike

Image: Guardia Civil

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