A 227kg bomb was uncovered in the bed of the Bac Lieu-Ca Mau canal alongNational Highway 1A in the southern province of Bac Lieulast week. It was successfully defused by the provincial MilitaryCommand engineers.
The MK 82 bomb was used by Americantroops during the war in Vietnam . It is the smallest of those bombsin current service, and one of the most commonly air-dropped weapons inthe world.
The bomb was found on a barge that wastransporting sand. The owner and crew threw the bomb into the canalwithout reporting it. It was discovered later by local residents andthey informed local authorities.
Local authorities saidthat the canal was an important route from HCM City , Can Tho andMekong Delta provinces to the Ca Mau Peninsula. If the bomb had not beendefused quickly, passing boats may have triggered an explosion.
Bombs and bullets are often found in the cargo of barges carrying sandfrom Can Tho city to Bac Lieu province, and owners are required toreport them to the relevant authorities./.