Father Posts Beach Photo of Son—Authorities Rush In After Noticing One Small Detail

Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in August 2015.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

Erin and Ellis Gravell posing next to an unexploded World War II mine, Photo Credit: Kelly Gravell/Facebook

Dad Shares Shocking Discovery

Gareth Gravell, the children’s father, posted the now-famous photos on Twitter. Alongside images of Erin, 6, and Ellis, 4, climbing the object, he joked, “So the buoy my kids were jumping on all weekend turns out to be a WWII bomb. Oops.”

Family Reflects on Close Call

Ms. Gravell recalled being more curious about the barnacles than the object itself. With the tide in, the family had no idea they were near a live bomb. She even joked at the time, “It looks like a big bomb,” never imagining it truly was.

“We were close to disaster—it’s shocking,” she later admitted.

Proceeding With Caution

Though shaken, the couple—who run a waste management business—said they plan to return to the beach. However, they’ll be much more cautious in the future.

“I’m not worried about going back,” Ms. Gravell added, “but we’ll definitely think twice before messing with something like that again.”

Officials Take Swift Action

Councillor Meryl Gravell, of Carmarthenshire Council, assured the public that the issue was handled properly. She apologized for the temporary closure but emphasized public safety.

A Wake-Up Call for Beachgoers

This close call reminds us that hidden wartime remnants still pose risks—even in peaceful places. It’s a strong warning to stay alert and avoid touching unknown objects along the coast.