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WorldPublished: 3 August 2026 at 16:52

Wildfire in France Exposes Unexploded WWII Shells

A wildfire in southwestern France has uncovered unexploded World War II shells, forcing bomb disposal teams to secure the area before evacuated residents can return home.

Foto: Euronews

A wildfire sweeping through southwestern France has revealed unexploded World War II ammunition, prompting urgent work by bomb disposal teams to make the area safe. Residents who were forced to leave their homes cannot return until the site is thoroughly cleared.

Footage from the scene shows scorched earth littered with wartime munitions, as specialists search and collect shells near residential properties. According to officials, some of the ordnance detonated under the extreme heat, sending shrapnel into nearby buildings and leading to the establishment of a safety exclusion zone.

Currently, crews are removing visible explosives, but a more comprehensive clearance operation is planned once conditions are deemed safe. The incident highlights the lingering dangers of wartime relics that can resurface unexpectedly, especially after natural disasters like wildfires strip away vegetation and expose hidden hazards.

Local authorities are coordinating with experts to ensure the area is fully secured, underscoring the importance of careful and methodical handling of such volatile remnants.

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