Excavation of artillery prompts school evacuation in Anhui

An artillery discovery led to the mass evacuation of a school in Tongling, Anhui province, after two students unearthed the artillery and delivered it to the principal's office. The incident was reported by the Tongling Public Security Bureau on Friday.

The discovery occurred on Thursday during a lunch break when two students from a school in Yi'an district of Tongling were playing in a wooded area near the school. The students dug it up and brought it to the office of the school principal, who immediately ordered an evacuation and called the police.

More than 100 teachers and students left the school premises.

In accordance with explosives-handling protocols, police officers wearing protective gear relocated the artillery to a safe area outside the school building.

Upon close examination by explosive experts, it was determined that the artillery, measuring over 40 cm in length, was a relic from wartime operations. The device bore clear markings, and its fuse remained intact, raising concerns about its potential danger.

Following the necessary procedures, which concluded without incident, bomb disposal experts, guided by the students, conducted a thorough search of the area for any remaining hazardous materials similar to the discovered artillery.

Subsequently, local police provided the school's staff and students with education on the safe handling of explosive materials.

Law enforcement authorities emphasized the importance of promptly reporting any suspicious items with explosive potential and urged the public to refrain from attempting to handle or keep such items, emphasizing the significant risks associated with mishandling explosive devices.