A forest fire in France's Gironde region has exposed unexploded military ordnance dating back to the Second World War.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing French media reports, the intense heat from the wildfire caused the munitions to detonate. Initially, firefighters mistook the loud explosions for gas canisters.
Martial Zaninetti, the mayor of Le Porge, reported hearing over 100 explosions on the second night of the fire, describing the scene as sounding like a "war zone." Local authorities admitted they were unaware of the presence of such munitions in the area. The explosions scattered projectiles, with one shell reportedly striking a residential home.
The Gironde region, located in southwestern France, was a significant theater of operations during the Second World War. The presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains a persistent challenge in many parts of Europe, where remnants of past conflicts are frequently unearthed during construction, agricultural work, or, as in this instance, natural disasters like wildfires.
Over 180 homes were damaged by the fire. The discovered munitions included various types of mortar and anti-tank shells belonging to both French and German forces. Specialized demining teams are currently conducting clearance operations. While most evacuated residents have returned home, access to certain areas, including the coastline and the "La Jenny" village, remains restricted due to safety concerns.
