Coastguard Scrambles to Beach After Unexploded Ordnance Spotted on West Wight Shore
The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team was urgently called out to Brook Beach on the Isle of Wight after a member of the public spotted what appeared to be unexploded ordnance (UXO) on Tuesday afternoon.
Alarm Raised Over Potentially Dangerous Device
The alert came in shortly after 1pm, with the worried witness reporting the suspicious object partly submerged and being swallowed by the incoming tide. Coastguard crews launched a 40-minute search but initially failed to spot the device as it vanished beneath shingle and sea.
“Although on this occasion, the device has been covered over it could still pose a threat. The incident will still be treated as 1 until we can locate it and the experts have examined it.” – Coastguard Rescue Team spokesman
Warning to Beachgoers: Don’t Touch, Report Immediately
The Coastguard urged the public: if you see any suspicious items on the beach, do not touch them. Instead, call 999 immediately and alert the Coastguard to keep everyone safe.
Update: Ordnance Found Near Chale Beach
After receiving a tip-off of a second location, the team moved their search to a spot approximately 150 metres down a cliff face near Chale Beach. There, they successfully located the ordnance.
The Coastguard continues to coordinate with bomb disposal experts to secure and safely remove the hazardous device.
