Safely Detonated: WWII-Era Bombs Discovered and Neutralized in Florida and Massachusetts

Authorities in different areas have been working to safely dispose of World War II-era bombs and military ordnances found in rivers and bays.

Discovery in Choctawhatchee Bay, Florida

In the Shalimar area, three WWII-era bombs were discovered in the Choctawhatchee Bay. The bombs were safely detonated by bomb squad crews.

Search in Charles River, Massachusetts

Members of the bomb squad swept the Charles River under Kendrick Street Bridge in Needham, Massachusetts, after a pair of explosives were found in the water. The joint effort, involving various law enforcement and emergency response teams, came up empty-handed, other than a few miscellaneous items found in the area.

Unearthing Military Ordnances

In Needham, a military ordnance about 12 inches long and 4 inches in diameter was removed from the Charles River on March 1, 2024. The severely deteriorated state of the object led authorities to believe it was from either World War I or World War II. Multiple agencies conducted a search for any additional ordnances on March 11, 2024.

Safe Disposal

The military projectile found in Massachusetts was safely disposed of, while in another incident, a bazooka round, believed to date back to World War II, was taken to a dog park for safe detonation.

Investigation Ongoing

Investigators are working to determine how the ordnances ended up in the river and the bay, while authorities continue to monitor the areas for any further discoveries of military ordnances.