Yahoo News HM Coastguard and Ministry of Defence deal with 'unexploded ordnance' as 'loud explosion' heard in Seaham
Anyone in the Seaham area may have heard a loud explosion as a specialist Ministry of Defence (MoD) team dealt with the discovery of suspected unexploded ordnance near to Noses Point in Seaham on Saturday afternoon.
The A182 was closed for a short period of time between Nose's Point car park and Byron Place shopping centre, which was closed temporarily. Durham Constabulary said this was "following the discovery of some unexploded ordnance".
The police had earlier warned it would be dealt with "underwater", and by shortly after 4pm said the item of ordnance had been safely disposed of. HM Coastguard said the issue came to light and was reported to the MoD on the morning of May 9 - it's understood tidal conditions impact on how such things can then be disposed of.
During Saturday afternoon, a Durham Constabulary statement posted online said: "The A182 at Seaham, between Noses Point car park and Byron Place shopping centre is currently closed.
"This is in relation to an incident being managed by HM Coastguard on the beach following the discovery of some unexploded ordnance. An MOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal team is currently at the location and it is expected that the item will be dealt with appropriately underwater within the next hour - this will result in a loud explosion being heard locally."
At 4.02pm, the police provided the following update: "The item has now been safely disposed of and the road and car park are now open."
A HM Coastguard spokesperson said the issue was handled by the MoD, adding: "HM Coastguard responded to reports of possible ordnance on Seaham Beach. Alerted at around 10.30am on 9 May, Seaham, Hartlepool, Sunderland and Amble Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to the scene. Pictures of the ordnance were provided to Explosive Ordnance Disposal."
