Municipal police and emergency crews in Nice evacuated a city center area Friday morning after workers discovered an oxidized military mortar shell hidden among debris inside a residential building’s cellar.
Mortar Shell Discovery on Boulevard Gambetta
The emergency response began at approximately 10:30 a.m. Friday after the unexploded ordnance was found at 59 Boulevard Gambetta, nicematin.com reported. The metal mortar shell was heavily degraded by time and rust, though its fin tail remained clearly visible amidst the surrounding trash.
Emergency responders treated the decades-old munition as a potential hazard upon discovery. Municipal police officers immediately secured the perimeter alongside the National Police and firefighters, while bomb disposal technicians were called to the scene.
Safe Removal by Demining Specialists
Specialized demining teams arrived at the Boulevard Gambetta building to handle the rusted munition. Workers safely removed the explosive device from the cellar and transported it away from the densely populated residential neighborhood.
Following the successful extraction of the shell, authorities lifted the entire security cordon just before noon.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Nice Ordnance Discovery
What type of military device was found in Nice?
Emergency responders recovered a heavily oxidized metal mortar shell featuring a visible fin tail. The munition was discovered tucked inside a residential cellar among accumulated debris.
Who responded to the emergency scene on Boulevard Gambetta?
Municipal police, the National Police, firefighters, and specialized bomb disposal teams deployed to the site after the alert was raised at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Friday.
Keep reading