A grenade.
Drawing.
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L. Sojka - AP - Sipa
Several munitions from the First World War were discovered on Monday on a site in Puisieulx (Marne).
Five workers, exposed to phosphorus released from a damaged grenade, were taken to hospital.
At around 11 am, "French ammunition, ie phosphorus shells and grenades dating from the 1914-1918 war, were unearthed on a public works site, aimed at making a connection to the gas network", explained the departmental operational center of fire and rescue (Codis) of the Marne.
At least one of the phosphorus grenades "caused a reaction" and released gas, "damaged by a public works machine", according to firefighters.
Several houses evacuated
Faced with a “significant risk of explosion” linked in particular to the presence of a gas pipeline nearby, the GRDF manager proceeded to cut and purge the gas network, while the deminers intervened.
Helpers also evacuated five houses and established a security perimeter.
Five of the nine workers present, considered slightly injured after being exposed to phosphorus, were taken to hospital for "medical advice", said the firefighters.
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Record year for the destruction of historic munitions off the French coast
France
Ammunition
Workers
First World War
Grenade