Two heavy explosives from the Second World War were found in the middle of Valkenswaard on Monday afternoon. The discovery was made around two o’clock during excavation work on the corner of Valkenierstraat and Karel Mollenstraat Noord.
Workmen who were working on an underground waste container found two English aircraft missile warheads there. They are so-called high-explosive armored warheads of approximately 7.5 centimeters in diameter and 27 kilos. The explosives were stacked on top of each other in the ground. The rockets’ engines were missing, but the warheads still contained about 5.4 kilos of explosive material.
The area was temporarily cordoned off, after which the Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (EOD) removed the missile warheads with the utmost care. In the evening the explosives were taken to the Leenderbos. There they were safely detonated in a dug pit, which was accompanied by a dull bang.
According to the police and municipality, there was no immediate danger to local residents. Work on the waste containers will resume at a later date.