Two boys, aged 12 and 13, discovered a World War II-era projectile at a campsite in Dötlingen, Germany, on Tuesday evening. The children were using metal detectors for treasure hunting at the time of the find.
The object was located on the campsite's playground. Following the discovery, the children left the area and alerted emergency services. The playground was cordoned off as bomb disposal experts arrived on the scene.
The bomb disposal service identified the object as a transportable wartime grenade. A bomb disposal spokesman stated the munition was a British 3-inch mortar round fired during World War II. Experts recovered the projectile and removed it from the site. No on-site detonation was required, and the campsite did not need to be evacuated.
They behaved exactly correctly.
While police stated the children will face no punishment, a bomb disposal spokesman noted that searching with metal detectors is strictly regulated. In Germany, fines can be imposed for such activities.
The bomb disposal spokesman explained that transporting the grenade is the preferred method to avoid damage from an on-site explosion. The munition is scheduled to be incinerated in a controlled manner.
