The Belize government has confirmed that an unexploded and exploded ordnance (UXO) found last week in San Jose Nuevo Palmar Village, northwest of here is a ‘training bomb’ and that the general area was once used as a training ground, ‘and therefore, similar findings may occur’.
In a statement, the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security said it wanted to provide ‘critical information to the public’ regarding the the UXO incident that occurred on October 4.
It said that the UXO was identified as a MK1, General Purpose Medium Capacity/ Aircraft Bomb and that it was ‘confirmed to be a training bomb.
‘These MK1 General Purpose Medium Capacity Bombs are typically armed with TNT; however, this particular training bomb contained only a ‘spotting charge.’ This charge serves as an exploder, producing a small explosion to mark the point of impact during training exercises,’ the ministry said.
It said that the explosion caused by this UXO created a crater measuring approximately three feet wide and two inches deep and that ‘two additional UXOs of the same type were discovered at the site’ and ‘were safely stabilized and relocated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team of the Belize Defence Force (BDF).
‘The Ministry wishes to advise the public that this general area was once used as a training ground, and therefore, similar findings may occur.’
The ministry said that the BDF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, which serves as the national expert authority in such matters, emphasises that ‘if any person encounters a suspected UXO, do not touch, move, or tamper with it, immediately report the finding to the Belize Defence Force so that the ordnance can be safely disarmed and removed’.