An explosive found at a popular tourist beach on NSW’s Mid North Coast on Saturday has been detonated by defence force after being deemed unsafe to transport.
Part of Port Macquarie’s Lighthouse Beach was closed on Saturday after lifeguards said a device had “washed ashore”. It was later identified as fighter jet device used for target practice.
Port Macquarie’s Lighthouse Beach.Credit:iStock
The area was evacuated by NSW Police, and Fire and Rescue NSW secured an exclusion zone around the unexploded device.
Port Macquarie Lifeguards said initial inquiries indicated the explosive appeared to have been in the water for many years.
A defence spokesperson said the device was a flare parachute (AN-MK6), which was “unsafe to be transported,” and therefore destroyed on the spot.
“The unexploded ordnance was destroyed by demolition in the location it was discovered,” they said.
These flares are dropped from aircraft, as ground illumination, for military training and search and rescue operations.
Members of the public should contact local police immediately if they found a suspicious item that may be an unexploded device, leave the item where it is found, and not touch or disturb it.
Defence routinely assists state and territory policing agencies in the safe recovery or disposal of suspected unexploded military ordnance found in public areas.
Lighthouse Beach is now safe for public use.
With Sally Rawsthorne
Most Viewed in National
From our partners
Source: Read Full Article
