A loud bang was heard across south Essex yesterday as Army bomb disposal experts detonated a Second World War German naval artillery shell on Canvey Island beach.
The unexploded ordnance was discovered by a metal detectorist on the mud flats off Canvey Point.
Emergency services were called to the scene after reports of the possible unexploded shell in the estuary.
The controlled detonation took place yesterday evening following a coordinated response from multiple agencies.
The unexploded ordnance was discovered by a metal detectorist on the mud flats off Canvey Point
HM Coastguard Canvey
Coastguard teams initially attended the scene on Saturday afternoon after being alerted by the metal detectorist.
A plan was devised to return at 5am the following day to locate the item due to an incoming tide, however, heavy fog on Sunday morning forced the coastguard team to postpone their return until 4pm that afternoon.
The precise location of the shell had been provided by the person who first reported the discovery.
The mud flats where the ordnance was found required specialist access due to the challenging terrain.
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RNLI Southend’s hovercraft was called in to assist with accessing the precise area where the shell was located.
Two coastguard team members along with the hovercraft crew made their way across the mud flats and successfully found the ordnance.
Army bomb disposal experts from Colchester Barracks arrived at the scene at 6.15pm.
Approximately an hour later, the explosive ordnance disposal unit carried out a controlled detonation of the device.
The bomb was identified as a 7.5cm Second World War German naval artillery shell
HM Coastguard Canvey
The bomb was identified as a 7.5cm Second World War German naval artillery shell.
A spokesman for the coastguard on Canvey said: “The metal detectorist did the right thing, he didn’t disturb the item further, made his way to a safe distance and called 999 asking for the coastguard.”
The spokesman added: “The coastline and waters around Essex are littered with unexploded ordnance, often from the Second World War.”
Members of the public were advised to take caution if they spot anything suspicious.
“If you spot anything that doesn’t look right, step back, and call 999 and ask for the coastguard,” the spokesman said.
