Unexploded Ordnance from World War II Detonates in Solomon Islands

An unexploded ordnance (UXO) from World War II detonated in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara, causing a loud explosion and injuring one person. The incident occurred on a Thursday evening local time when a fire near a stadium in western Honiara ignited the device. The injured person, a young man, was taken to hospital in a stable condition. Residents who witnessed the explosion described the scene as chaotic, with people running and a large fireball in the air.

Key Takeaways:

• An unexploded ordnance from World War II detonated in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on a Thursday evening local time.
• The incident occurred due to a fire near a stadium in western Honiara, which ignited the device.
• One person, a young man, was injured and taken to hospital in a stable condition.
• Local residents described the scene as chaotic, with people running and a large fireball in the air.
• The area was cordoned off by police and explosive ordnance disposal specialists, who attended to investigate the incident.
• According to Ansa Puaraua, the officer in charge of the EOD unit, 6,121 UXOs were safely disposed of across the country in 2024.
• The Solomon Islands remain littered with UXOs from World War II, including artillery shells, bombs, ammunition, and torpedoes.
• Robert Iroga, a resident who witnessed the explosion, described the incident as causing a lot of panic.

Statistics:

• 1 person was injured in the explosion.
• The incident occurred on a Thursday evening local time in western Honiara.
• 6,121 UXOs were safely disposed of across the Solomon Islands in 2024, according to Ansa Puaraua.
• The Solomon Islands remain littered with approximately 6,121+ UXOs from World War II.

Sources:

• Solomon Star newspaper
• Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
• Ansa Puaraua, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force EOD unit officer in charge
• Robert Iroga, resident who witnessed the explosion
• Australia's Department of Defense