The device was found a few metres from an outfall near the port of Águilas, at a depth of 16 metres.
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (EDE) of the Navy’s Mine Action Diver Unit (UBMCM) has identified, neutralised and removed the remains of a German SD50 type aircraft bomb in the vicinity of the port of Águilas (Murcia).
A resident of the town of Lorca, found the possible projectile while working as a diver at the ‘Club de Buceo la Almadraba’, after which he alerted the State Security Forces and Corps, according to sources from the Navy in a statement.
The Special Group of Underwater Activities (GEAS) of the Region of Murcia confirmed the discovery and initiated the Guardia Civil-Navy protocol on the discovery of explosive devices, giving notice to the Headquarters of the Maritime Action Force, who, through the Centre for Operations and Surveillance of Maritime Action (COVAM), deployed the UBMCM’s explosives deactivation team (EDE).
Early on Friday morning, a coordination meeting was held in the ‘Juan Montiel’ marina, attended by an officer from the Cartagena Naval Command (COMARCART), a councillor from the Águilas Town Council, a representative of the Capitanía Marítima of the port of Águilas, a representative of the GEAS of the Guardia Marítima of the Guardia Marítima of the Guardia Marítima of the port of Águilas, and a representative of the GEAS of the Guardia Marítima of the Guardia Marítima of the Guardia Marítima of Águilas, a representative of the GEAS of the Civil Guard of the Region of Murcia, the medical personnel of 061 who provided medical coverage during the intervention, a patrol of the Civil Guard and the Local Police of Águilas, and the Chief Officer of the EDE of the UBMCM.
Then, with the support of the GEAS boats and personnel, the UBMCM divers moved to the area and located the device a few metres from an outfall, at a depth of 16 metres.
Following the location, Navy EOD Submarine operators conducted a controlled detonation to clear the casing of marine life and confirm that it was a German SD50 aviation bomb containing almost seventeen kilograms of TNT.
The operators deemed the munition safe for transport and decided to refloat and tow it for final destruction further away from the emissary. After a second detonation, the bomb was neutralised. Before leaving the area and to avoid any possible environmental impact, the divers collected the remains of the device that were left on the bottom after the detonation.
Like the rest of the Navy’s Diving Units, the Unit of Mine Action Divers (UBMCM) has personnel specialised in the deactivation of underwater explosive devices, as well as divers specialised in underwater mine disabling techniques (EOD-Sub), being the only ones qualified to carry out this type of task. This activity, in the maritime and coastal area, is the exclusive competence of the Navy.