Walkers discovered the ordnance in the Schwarzbach stream – the bomb disposal unit carried out a controlled detonation of the grenade on site
A tank shell found in the Schwarzbach stream near Riedstadt was successfully detonated on Monday, September 21, 2026.The bomb disposal unit carried out the controlled detonation at approximately 11:40 a.m. According to police, there was no danger to residents or the public at any time.
A 48-year-old man and his son discovered the grenade on Sunday while walking in the Schwarzbach stream bed west of the Vitos Clinic and alerted the police. Officers cordoned off the area and called in the bomb disposal unit.
Explosion in a nearby field
After the assessment, it was determined that the grenade had to be detonated on site. On Monday morning, the town of Riedstadt, in coordination with the police and the bomb disposal unit, prepared for the detonation.
A nearby field was chosen as the detonation site. First, the city checked that no underground gas lines ran there. Then, the municipal works department excavated a 1.80-meter-deep hole . The police established a safety zone with a 300-meter radius around the detonation site .
The bomb disposal unit transported the 8.8-centimeter armor-piercing shell in a transport box to the pit. The pit was then covered with earth again. According to the city, the ordnance was detonated without complications at approximately 11:40 a.m.
Mayor Marcus Kretschmann thanked the two finders for their response, as well as the police and bomb disposal service for their efforts.
(RIEDSTADT – RED/PSR)
Featured image: The tank shell was retrieved from the pit after being defused. Photo: City of Riedstadt
