A 40mm mortar shell, discovered by students near classrooms, was safely detonated at Lê Thế Hiếu Primary and Secondary School in Cam Chính Commune, Cam Lộ District, Quảng Trị Province on April 19th.
A group of students at Lê Thế Hiếu Primary and Secondary School found a suspicious object resembling a shell near the classrooms and immediately alerted their teachers. The school promptly cordoned off the area and reported the incident to the Cam Chính Commune Military Command.
Explosive ordnance disposal at Lê Thế Hiếu Primary and Secondary School – 1Explosive ordnance disposal experts at work. (Photo: PeaceTrees Vietnam)
Upon receiving the report, the PeaceTrees Vietnam mine action organization, in coordination with Quảng Trị authorities, swiftly arrived on the scene. The object was identified as a highly dangerous, unexploded 40mm mortar shell, which couldn’t be safely moved.
Taking advantage of the students’ and teachers’ lunch break, the bomb disposal experts detonated the shell safely on-site.
Ms. Hoàng Thị Hương Giang, Principal of Lê Thế Hiếu Primary and Secondary School, explained that the shell was unearthed during the school’s preparation for a physical education activity involving a digging for a long jump pit. Fortunately, the excavation team did not come into contact with the shell.
