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Alarming bomb discoveries: Saxony-Anhalt is fighting old dangers!
Saxony-Anhalt will record an increase in bomb discoveries to 279 in 2023. The state government is informing about the need to dispose of explosive ordnance.
Alarming bomb discoveries: Saxony-Anhalt is fighting old dangers!
In Saxony-Anhalt there is a red alert when it comes to the discovery of explosive ordnance. By the end of July 2023, a total of 279 old bombs had been recovered in the state - a sharp increase compared to previous years, in which only 61 bombs were found in 2022 and just 36 in 2021. The state government announced these alarming figures in a response to the small question from state parliament member Andreas Henke (Left). The statistics clearly show that the process of dealing with the legacy of the two world wars is far from complete. borkenerzeitung.de reports on this topic and the challenges facing Saxony-Anhalt.
But why are so many weapons discovered in the old federal states, and especially in Saxony-Anhalt? The principle is simple: this region is heavily affected by the consequences of war. Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of ordnance, including infantry ammunition, mines, grenades and aerial bombs, are still hidden in the ground. In addition, between 1990 and 2024, around 33,000 tons of explosive ordnance were brought to the surface and disposed of. The explosive ordnance disposal service, which has existed since 1950 and currently employs 27 people and six administrative staff, is struggling with such a legacy.
Explosive ordnance disposal as a permanent task
The task of the disposal service is to ensure safety through exploration, rescue and professional disposal. Interior Minister Dr. Tamara Zieschang emphasizes how important specialist knowledge is when dealing with these dangers. Recent events have shown that it will also be necessary to detonate three aerial bombs that cannot be transported in 2023. These operations help ensure security in the region.
The finds are not evenly distributed everywhere. Most of the ordnance was discovered in 2023 in the Harz, Jerichower Land and Altmarkkreis Stendal districts. Objects of all kinds were found here - from cartridges and grenades to unexploded ordnance and bombs. What is particularly noteworthy is that 16 of the 61 bombs found weighed more than 50 kilograms. This also included four of the dreaded 250 kilogram explosive bombs. sachsen-anhalt.de Stresses that road traffic authorities should be informed immediately if explosive ordnance or munitions are discovered.
The importance of explosive ordnance disposal
Constant use without an end date seems to be the rule. The explosive ordnance disposal service is not only responsible for recovering finds, but also for consulting with security authorities. This expertise is also required for building permits in order to be able to assess the safety on the properties in advance. The service has its roots in the post-war period, when the Allied occupying powers were responsible for clearing up military remains before responsibility was ultimately transferred to the federal states. Information on explosive ordnance contamination must be obtained through historical investigations, for example through archive documents or aerial photographs. Wikipedia shows that the former is important not only for public safety today, but also increasingly for future generations.
The idea of safe and careful handling of explosive ordnance is of central importance for educational and security institutions. There are therefore different approaches and services for explosive ordnance disposal in Germany, all of which deal with this explosive topic.