Paris, August 04, 2026 – The Europe Today: French explosive ordnance disposal experts have uncovered dozens of World War II-era grenades in an area devastated by the country’s largest forest wildfire of the season on the Atlantic coast, authorities said.
Philippe Delemotte, Head of the Bordeaux Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service, said specialists discovered and safely removed 75 unexploded shells during a clearance operation conducted in the fire-affected area.
“We were on a mission last week and found this field, where we removed 75 shells,” Delemotte said.
The discovery came after explosions were reported in the village of Le Porge while the massive wildfire swept through the region. The blasts prompted authorities to investigate the affected site, leading to the identification of the long-buried World War II munitions.
Officials said the wildfire exposed the unexploded ordnance, highlighting the continued presence of wartime explosives in parts of France more than eight decades after the end of the Second World War.
The ordnance disposal operation is part of ongoing efforts to ensure public safety in areas impacted by the wildfire, while authorities continue to assess damage and eliminate potential hazards uncovered by the blaze.
