Over 200 WWII-era munitions were destroyed in 2024 off the English Channel and North Sea, with some weighing over 1,000 kg of TNT. Demining efforts continue for at least a century.
Historical devices destroyed in 2024
In 2024, 200 historical devices were destroyed in the English Channel and the North Sea, representing 8,346 kilograms of TNT. These devices, remnants of wartime activity, vary greatly in size and explosive power, with the heaviest off Cherbourg weighing 1,122 kg of TNT equivalent.Deminers and their workload
The Caen center has fourteen deminers responsible for four departments and dedicates 95% of its time to interventions. This highlights the ongoing and intensive nature of the work, as the area requires constant attention due to the presence of unexploded ordnance.Explosive power versus mass
The figure of 8,346 kg of TNT represents explosive power, not the actual mass of the devices. For example, a single 270 mm shell found in Octeville-sur-Mer in May 2024 had an explosive equivalent of 60 kg of TNT, and authorities established a 950-meter safety perimeter around it.Naval demining operations
These operations are carried out by the naval divers of the Marine nationale, part of the Manche Demining Divers Group (GPD), established in 1959 and based in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. Their vessel, the Vulcain, has been in service since 1986, supporting efforts to clear the seabed of dangerous ordnance.Variability in annual reports
Six annual reports show no consistent trend in the number or weight of devices found. In 2019, 1,786 devices totaling 19,100 kg of TNT were recorded, but the following year, only 489 devices were found, representing 33,947 kg of TNT. This highlights the unpredictability of discoveries, influenced by factors like weather.Storms and tides influence discoveries
Stroms and high tides play a significant role in uncovering historical devices by disturbing the seabed and exposing the intertidal zone. Autumn, with its strong winds and high tides, is a peak season for such discoveries, making it a critical period for demining activities.Deminers on land and sea
On land, the Caen center’s deminers handle part of the workload, while the rest is managed by deminers in Cherbourg and private individuals who find ordnance while gardening or during construction. Nationally, between 480 and 520 tonnes of munitions are handled each year, a volume that remains relatively stable.Notable demining operations
In May 2023, naval forces disarmed 83 munitions at a single site, totaling 3.6 tonnes of TNT equivalent—more than 40% of the total destroyed in 2024. Similarly, a single device off Cherbourg had an explosive equivalent of 1,122 kg, or about 13% of the 2024 total.Uncertainty about the future
Estimates suggest that demining efforts could take at least a century, with some sources suggesting several centuries. This uncertainty underscores the long-term nature of the task, with no clear endpoint in sight for those involved in the work.Public guidelines for safety
Authorities advise the public to avoid touching suspicious objects found on the intertidal zone after a storm. Guidelines include marking the object without moving it and alerting demining authorities through the prefecture to ensure safety and proper handling.
