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Evacuee discovers live grenades near Mt. Lewotobi temporary shelters
Anwar said authorities had discovered a total of 393 rounds of ammunition and 16 grenades in the hole dug by the evacuee, all heavily rusted.
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Evacuees carry food at an evacuation site in Lewolaga village, East Flores regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Nov. 13, 2024, as Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki spews an ash column in the background. (Antara/Aditya Pradana Putra)
A
man evacuated from the slopes of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), after its eruption last year unearthed over a dozen active grenades on Tuesday while digging a hole for a septic tank near his temporary housing in Konga village, Titehena district.
The grenades were discovered about 1 meter underground, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition, sparking panic among evacuees who feared the devices could detonate at any moment.
East Flores Police spokesperson First Insp. Anwar Sanusi said local police and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel were dispatched to secure the area.
"The grenades are still active, and we've established a bunker located far from residential areas to temporarily store them," he said on Wednesday, as reported by Antara.
Anwar said authorities had discovered a total of 393 rounds of ammunition and 16 grenades in the hole dug by the evacuee, all heavily rusted.
The grenades, identified as type 97, measured 9.6 cm in length and weighed 65 grams. Based on their design, they are believed to be remnants from World War II.
The grenades will be stored in the bunker until a Gegana bomb disposal unit from the East Nusa Tenggara Police arrives from Kupang to examine and neutralize them. Meanwhile, the ammunition has been moved to a joint TNI-National Police security post at the temporary shelter.
