An unexploded bomb has been found on an Essex beach. Southend Coastguard managed to detonate the unexploded shell, which was found near Canvey Point on the east of Canvey Island.
On Saturday afternoon, Southend Coastguard were called to reports of a possible unexploded shell approximately one mile off Canvey Point. The shell had been found by a person out metal detecting in the mud flats and came across the "artillery shell".
Further examination found that the shell was indeed from the German navy, dating back to the Second World War. The following day, the coastguard managed to detonate the bomb safely.
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A spokesman for the coastguard said: "With an incoming tide a plan was devised to return at 5am and locate the item. Unfortunately, due to the heavy fog, we could not safely access the area needed to gain further info.
"Therefore, we agreed to reattend at 4pm [on Sunday] afternoon. Due to the location, RNLI Southend Lifeboat and their Hovercraft were tasked to assist with access to the precise area given by the first informant.
"Two team members, along with the Hovercraft crew, made way across the mud flats and located the ordnance. Upon discussion with the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal, a team of bomb disposal experts from Colchester Barracks attended at 1815.
"Around an hour later the EOD detonated the item, which turned out to be a German WW2 7.5cm Naval Artillery Shell. The metal dectectorist did the right thing, he didn't disturb the item further, made his way to a safe distance and called 999 asking for the Coastguard.
"The coastline and waters around Essex are littered with unexploded ordnance, often from World War 2. If you spot anything that doesn't look right, step back, and call 999 and ask for the coastguard."
