Just a quick note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in August 2015.
Imagine the shock and relief that washed over a family as they discovered the true nature of an object they had unknowingly posed next to for photographs. What they initially thought was a harmless buoy turned out to be an unexploded World War II mine, a potential disaster narrowly avoided. Last Wednesday, Kelly Gravell and her two children discovered an object covered in seaweed on a beach near Burry Port, Carmarthenshire.
The 32-year-old mother was taken aback when the beach, regularly visited by her family, was suddenly closed five days later. Carmarthenshire Council rangers discovered an object believed to be a 70-year-old bomb and quickly contacted the bomb squad to safely handle the situation. A remarkable video captured a powerful explosion on the opposite side of the harbor following a controlled detonation conducted by experts.
Gareth, the father, shared his surprise on Twitter, posting images of Erin, six, and Ellis, four, playfully interacting with the disguised explosive. His tweet amusingly pointed out, “So the buoy my kids were jumping on all weekend turns out to be a WWII bomb.” Oops.”
Ms. Gravell recalled that during their beach outing, they were completely absorbed in the barnacles on the object rather than its actual identity. Unaware of its significance, the family stumbled upon a historic bomb, mistaking it for a buoy in a lighthearted manner. Even a casual remark about it being a “major failure” was made at the time without much consideration.
Recalling the incident, Ms. Gravell expressed her astonishment, stating, “We were on the brink of disaster.” The couple, who operate a waste management company, expressed their desire to revisit the beach, highlighting that although they wouldn’t be overly worried, they would exercise greater caution.
According to Ms. Gravell, there is no need for concern about returning, but we will certainly exercise more caution when we do. We will certainly reconsider our approach to such matters in the future, and we took the opportunity to observe its explosive outcome firsthand.
Councillor Meryl Gravell, executive board member for leisure at Carmarthenshire Council, reassured the public that the necessary steps had been taken to address the situation. Although there may have been some inconvenience due to the temporary beach closure, she sincerely apologized to the public.
The family’s unexpected encounter with the unexploded bomb is a powerful reminder of the potential risks that remnants of wartime history can present, even in peaceful coastal areas. This incident serves as a reminder to always be cautious and vigilant when examining unfamiliar items on the beach. It’s crucial to remember that potential dangers may not be immediately obvious.
