Cleared Ground Demining (CGD) Team responded to an emergency request for assistance from Aimeliik State after their State backhoe operator unearthed a suspect item during drainage ditch reinstatement.
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The CGD team using sub-surface instrument assisted detection equipment uncovered a total of 2,959lbs (1,345kgs) of ordnance which consisted of thirteen 220lb Japanese White Phosphorous aircraft bombs and one Japanese Sea Mine.
Mr Steve Ballinger, CGD Operations Director, stated that ‘these 13 bombs are in near perfect condition and posed an unacceptable and immediate threat to the population.’
This brings the total of bombs collected by CGD in Palau to 45,703 items and they urge everyone in Palau to be alert for suspect items and encourages anyone who comes across anything suspicious to report it immediately. [/restrict]