to the deactivation of the bomb found in the port

The deactivation of the World War II bomb found in recent weeks in the port area began at 6am this morning. More than 7,000 residents who, as a precaution, must leave their homes. Currently, a police intervention is being carried out at five points in the prohibited zone to “convince” so many families to leave. In total, 63 roads have been evacuated within a radius of 400 meters from the point where the bomb is located. The approach ban will probably last until the afternoon.

This is how the bomb squads defuse the bomb | VIDEO

In the map prepared by the Municipality, the red zone includes the port area, while the yellow zone is upstream of via Crispi. This area also includes 4 nursing homes and 120 disabled people. On the other hand, 70 people have requested the assistance of the municipal media. Also stop for religious, commercial, artisan activities, fuel distribution, accommodation and assistance structures. On the affected streets, parking bans have been established from 9 a.m. until the war device is recovered.

Three reception centers installed by the City Council: in the stadium, in the Pala Uditore and in the Pala Oreto, plus a collection center in Piazza Sturzo. There are 8 Amat shuttle buses and 20 Civil Protection vehicles deployed for transportation. Instead, the Anpas Sicilia association has deployed 53 volunteers, 2 motorhomes, 2 ambulances, 4 minibuses for people with disabilities, 2 medical cars. In total there are 180 volunteers coordinated by the Municipality. The prefectural Ccs (Rescue Coordination Center) is also operational in several offices connected by teleconference.

So far, some 500 people have used the vehicles made available to Amat and accompanied to the collection point within the “Barbera” stadium, while a score of people with disabilities have been accompanied to the second collection point. to Pala Uditore. No person was accompanied to the Pala Oreto or independently and for this reason the structure remained closed. Within the red zone there are 3 groups of law enforcement officers depending on the anti-stripping service. The people in voluntary quarantine or in isolation by Covid-19 transferred by the ASP and 118 employees to dedicated places were 7. Of these only 2 positives, who were in the San Paolo hotel, left yesterday.

Disarmament operations are in charge of the Army Engineers Regiment, which will detonate the 600-pound bomb (272 kg, of which 100 of explosives). “The range of action of the bomb is about 1850 meters but – explained Francesco Diati, press officer of the 4th Regiment of Engineers of the Aosta Brigade – with the expansion chamber it was reduced to 400 meters”.

The pump will be used and transported with a crane to the expansion chamber. “Here, through a machine called swordfish,” added Lieutenant Giuseppe Carini, “we will dissect the bomb through a lance that ‘shoots’ water and sand at high pressure. The unsafe part will shine from the inside here.” From the port where the bomb was found there are 12 officers and NCOs from the IV Engineer Regiment.

The pump cut

The army bomb squad cut the bomb (in the photo on top). On the ground is the fuse (active part), which has been detonated; while above the support is the part of the bomb that will be destroyed in the quarry: the yellowish substance inside is TNT and in the center there is a very high potential explosive that is used to detonate TNT.

Article updated at 13.33 with photos and report after the bomb cut

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