Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in August 2015.

Family Mistakes WWII Bomb for Buoy During Beach Day

A relaxing family outing nearly ended in tragedy when they unknowingly posed next to an unexploded World War II mine, mistaking it for a sea buoy.

A Day at the Beach Turns Dangerous

Kelly Gravell and her two children discovered the seaweed-covered object last Wednesday on a beach near Burry Port, Carmarthenshire. Thinking it was harmless, they took several playful photos beside it.

Beach Suddenly Closed

Five days later, authorities closed the beach. Carmarthenshire Council rangers identified the object as a 70-year-old explosive device. They quickly alerted the bomb squad.

Controlled Explosion Rocks the Harbor

Experts performed a controlled detonation, causing a dramatic explosion across the harbor. Footage of the blast later circulated online.