Police warn against fishing with explosives

An old bomb which exploded in Malmal village over the weekend *(Image: Madang Police)*

Madang police have warned coastal villagers to refrain from using old wartime bomb explosives for fishing.

Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Robert Baim issued the warning over the weekend after an old bomb exploded at Malmal Village last Friday.

Baim said the devices are dangerous and can lead to death or cause extensive bodily harms. He said any sightings of such devices must be reported immediately to the police or PNGDF so they can be disposed off correctly.

"Let me warn those knowingly doing this that it is wrong to keep these war relics like bombs for fishing," PPC Baim said. "These are live and dangerous objects not to be played around with. It can cost your life or other innocent person's life.

"I'm encouraging the public to report anyone in possession of old world war 2 bombs, if law catches up with you, you will be dealt with accordingly."

PPC Baim said Malmal village is known for using old wartime relics for fishing, although the recent incident was not directly related to fishing.

An old trooper with plants growing inside *(Image: Madang Police)*

The bomb, positively identified as a MK34 or MK36 inches HE projectile with M48 or M48A 1, was capable of detonating super quick fuse. Police said that due to rusting and weathering, its labels were not visible. The device contained 5kg of high explosives.

Report of the exploded bomb was relayed to police through a WhatsApp message from a villager, who revealed the bomb went off under the scorching heat of a burning pile of rubbish between 7 and 730pm last Friday.

Members of Madang's Transnational Crime Unit and National Intelligence Criminal Unit immediately responded to the message and proceeded to the said village, just outside town where they confirmed the explosion.

Information collected revealed the family concerned used the explosion site to bury household rubbish without any knowledge about the war relic. The report further stated that an elderly woman who was burning rubbish at the same spot had gone indoors about 5 meters away when the bomb exploded.

The explosion occurred some 30 minutes later. Local villagers confirmed their community was used by Japanese soldiers during WW2 and there are few wrecks, including a trooper; that are still lying around.

Police said there is a high risk of explosions in the area and urged the community to be extra vigilant.