An unexpected discovery, to say the least, mobilized the authorities this Tuesday, June 9 in Pauillac, in Médoc. An earthmoving company found a World War II shell in the middle of a sand delivery. The intervention of the deminers required the establishment of a significant security perimeter and the temporary interruption of rail traffic in the area.
Discoveries of old munitions remain relatively frequent in Gironde, a territory marked by the conflicts of the 20th century. But this time, the explosive device was not found during work or a walk on the coast. It was directly hidden in a shipment of sand destined for a local company.
An unexpected discovery in a Pauillac company
The events took place in the Trompeloup industrial zone, in Pauillac.
A company specializing in earthworks had just received a delivery of sand intended for its activities. During unloading, employees noticed the presence of a suspicious object hidden in the materials.
After checking, it turned out that it was a shells from the Second World Warprobably transported accidentally with the sand extracted in the area of Soulac-sur-Meraccording to the first information collected on site.
Faced with the potential risk, company officials immediately alerted the competent authorities.
Minesweepers mobilized urgently
The police quickly intervened to secure the scene.
Given the nature of the discovery, specialized mine clearance services were called in to identify and neutralize the explosive device.
As a precautionary measure, an important périmètre de sécurité was established around the company in order to protect employees, local residents and users of neighboring infrastructure. Even after more than 80 years, certain war shells can retain their explosive charge and represent a real danger in the event of handling or impact.
Médoc rail traffic disrupted
The secure zone set up around the site also concerned the railway line which crosses the area.
As a safety measure, train traffic was therefore temporarily interrupted on part of the Médoc network.
Travelers traveling between Lesparre-Médoc et Pauillac suffered several disruptions during the afternoon, while security operations were completed.
This interruption was essential in order to guarantee the safety of passengers and railway staff during the mine clearance intervention.
An operation completed in late afternoon
After several hours of intervention, the mine clearance specialists managed to neutralize the shell without incident. The operation was completed shortly after 5 p.m.allowing the lifting of the security perimeter installed around the company.
Rail traffic was then able to gradually resume on the line concerned. No injuries were reported and no large-scale evacuations were necessary during this intervention.
Remains still present in Gironde
This discovery reminds us that numerous military remains still remain buried in several sectors of the Gironde, particularly on the Médoc coast. Between the old fortifications of the Atlantic Wall, the combat zones and the military positions occupied during the Second World War, it is not uncommon for munitions to be found during work or material extraction operations.
The authorities remind you that if an object that may resemble ammunition is discovered, you should never attempt to handle it. The best attitude is to secure the premises and immediately notify the emergency services or law enforcement.
The incident which occurred in Pauillac fortunately ended without consequences, but it illustrates once again the still very real presence of war vestiges in the Gironde subsoil.
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