More than 200 unexploded ordnances have been removed from a school site in Solomon Islands.
The SIBC reported St Nicholas Anglican College had discovered the stockpile of US projectiles in front of a staff house when they dug a hole for sewage.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department's executive director, Clifford Tunuki, said the projectiles have been moved to a safe location with the support of the Australian Defense Force, while waiting for safe destruction.
He said the incident is an eye-opener for schools, domestic and commercial houses to think about site inspection for UXOs before they start erecting buildings.
Specialist explosive ordnance disposal teams and supporting air assets from eight countries have started arriving in the country this week ahead of Operation Render Safe 2024.
A statement from the Australian High Commission said over the coming days, more than 250 explosive ordnance specialists will be deployed to Western Province to identify and destroy explosive remnants of war remaining from World War II.
It said at the request of the Solomon Islands Government, the Australian Defence Force and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) will lead a joint multinational team of experts from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“This will be the largest land-based Render Safe Operation ever conducted and will focus on the removal of explosive remnants of war from key areas in Western Province including Munda, Kolombangara, Kohinggo and Vona Vona.
“The mission will be conducted across three land and two maritime areas of operation and supported by air assets operating between Honiara and Western Province including C-130J Hercules, C-17 Globemaster and MV-22 Osprey aircraft.
“2024 marks the 20th year Operation Render Safe, which is an ADF-led enduring commitment to removing the danger posed by World War II era explosive remnants of war in Pacific Island countries,” the statement said.
It said disposal of explosive remnants of war will:
- reduce the likelihood of casualties;
- provide families and communities with access to more land for food cultivation and infrastructure provide a safer environment around villages and schools; and help to improve the conditions for economic development in the future.
The statement said Operation Render Safe 2024 will be conducted in Western Province from the end of August until mid-September.
I thank the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Team and the Australian Government for the removal of the dangerous unexploded ordinance which clearly remains a threat to lives and limb.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
