A recent incident has brought to light the potential dangers that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly peaceful coastal settings. A family, who were out for a day at the beach near Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, had a close call with disaster when they unknowingly posed for photographs next to an unexploded World War II mine, mistaking it for a harmless buoy. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that remnants of wartime history can pose, even in seemingly serene coastal settings.
The family, consisting of 32-year-old Kelly Gravell and her two children, Erin and Ellis, were enjoying their day at the beach when they stumbled upon the seaweed-covered object. Little did they know, the object was a 70-year-old bomb, which was later identified by Carmarthenshire Council rangers. The beach was promptly closed five days later, and the bomb squad was called in to neutralize the potential threat. A controlled detonation was carried out, resulting in a dramatic explosion on the far side of the harbor.
The father, Gareth, took to Twitter to express his surprise, sharing images of his children playfully interacting with the disguised explosive. His tweet humorously noted, “So the buoy my kids were jumping on all weekend turns out to be a WWII bomb. Oops.” Ms. Gravell also recounted that during their beach outing, they were more interested in the barnacles on the object than its true nature. With the tide up, the family had unintentionally stumbled upon the historic bomb, dismissing it as a buoy. Even a light-hearted comment about it being a “big bomb” was made at the time without a second thought.
Reflecting on the incident, Ms. Gravell remarked, “We were close to disaster - it’s shocking.” The couple, who run a waste management firm, expressed their intent to return to the beach, but with increased caution. Ms. Gravell stated, “I wouldn’t be worried about going back, but we will definitely be more cautious when we do. We’ll definitely think twice before messing with something like that in the future, and we went down for a look to see it get blown up.”
Councillor Meryl Gravell, executive board member for leisure at Carmarthenshire Council, assured the public that appropriate action had been taken to address the situation. Despite any inconvenience caused by the temporary beach closure, she extended apologies to the public. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution when exploring unfamiliar objects on the beach, as the potential risks might not always be apparent at first glance.
This incident also highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the potential dangers of unexploded bombs and other remnants of wartime history. It is crucial for individuals to exercise caution and avoid interacting with unfamiliar objects on the beach, as they may pose a significant threat. The incident serves as a cautionary tale and emphasizes the importance of being vigilant and informed when exploring coastal areas.
In conclusion, the family’s unwitting encounter with the unexploded bomb serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that remnants of wartime history can pose, even in seemingly serene coastal settings. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance and caution when exploring unfamiliar objects on the beach, as the potential risks might not always be apparent at first glance. It is essential to prioritize safety and educate oneself about potential hazards in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
