On Monday, two youths equipped with a metal detector made a discovery in the municipality of Houthalen-Helchteren, Limburg province, Belgium. According to Le Soir, they unearthed several pieces of World War II ordnance, including three hand grenades, six light mortars, one Ordnance QF 2-pounder shell (an anti-tank gun shell), and two 37mm shells. The youths were searching the bushes next to Herebaan-Oost in Houthalen when they stumbled upon these remnants of the past.
After finding the explosives, the boys gathered their discoveries in one place before contacting police. Local police units arrived at the scene and established a security perimeter with tape and warning signs to ensure public safety. The police then informed the demining service, which collected the explosives on Tuesday to proceed with their safe destruction.
"There was a very alert response by the various services," said Mayor Alain Yzermans (Hoppah), according to Het Nieuwsblad. "That is extremely important in such situations. You can never know whether found ammunition can still pose a danger or not."
The explosives are believed to be remnants of World War II, possibly left behind during the Battle of Helchteren, which took place between September 8 and 10, 1944. This historical clash in the region has occasionally led to the discovery of unexploded ordnance decades later.
Police used the incident as an opportunity to warn the public about the dangers of handling old ammunition. "It's good that the youths contacted the police, but it could have ended differently," said Svea Daniels, spokesperson for the Carma police zone, according to Het Nieuwsblad. "The youths in Houthalen-Helchteren were lucky that nothing exploded. The right reaction is to stay at a distance and contact the police. They will take care of it."
Daniels emphasized the proper protocol when encountering such items. "When you find grenades or similar objects, it is important to leave them where they are and not move them yourself," she stated. "Even when something looks old or rusty, it can still be dangerous."
The incident has also brought attention to the regulations surrounding the use of metal detectors. Those who wish to use a metal detector must respect certain rules for safety reasons and to preserve valuable archaeological discoveries. To search for archaeological pieces, a person using a metal detector needs permission. Minors must always be accompanied by a recognized detectorist.
"This is not the first time ammunition has been found in Houthalen-Helchteren," Daniels noted. "We must all be cautious and responsible."
Carma police concluded with a stern warning: "Never do this."
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
