World War I bombs uncovered as Alpine glaciers melt in Italy
Italian troops have recovered dozens of World War I munitions from melting glaciers in the Dolomites, including Italian shells and French grenades.
During a summer sweep of the Dolomite region, Italian soldiers recovered close to 250 pieces of World War I ammunition after hikers reported possible bombs near Canal San Bovo, the Primiero valley and Trento. The cache includes Italian artillery shells and French-made grenades that remained buried since the 1915-1918 front between Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops. Explosive experts have safely neutralised the devices.
The melting of nearby glaciers, which has been ongoing for about a decade, is attributed to rising temperatures, according to Stefano Morosini of the University of Bergamo and a heritage officer for Stelvio National Park. He warns that many of the items have been preserved in ice for over a century and remain dangerous. Authorities advise hikers and climbers never to touch such finds and to report them immediately to police.
Why it matters
Melting glaciers are exposing century-old explosives, posing safety risks and highlighting climate-change impacts.
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