20 Active Mortars Found In Used Goods Collectors In Belitung

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

As many as 20 mortars are suspected to be still being found at a collection site on Pasir Putih Street, Air Raya Village, Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province (Babel), Saturday, April 8 evening.

The Company Commander of Battalion B Pioneer of the Brimob Unit of the Babel Police, Iptu Yudi Firmansyah, said that as many as 20 mortars were suspected to be still active.

"We believe this mortar is active," said Yudi as quoted by Antara, Sunday, April 9.

He explained that the mortar was thought to have come from the remains of the second world warship that sank in the waters of Belitung Island.

"So we urge people who find mortars left over from the second world war at sea, not to be lifted because it is considered dangerous," he said.

Yudi said his party immediately evacuated as many as 20 mortars.

Battalion B personnel from the Brimob Unit of the Babel Police have also installed a police line and guarded the location where the mortar was found.

"For the time being, we will secure this mortar first with the Belitung Police because it is in the community environment, so we anticipate things that are not desirable," he said.

Yudi appealed to the public not to approach the location where the mortar was found.

"We ask the public not to come to this location because this area is dangerous because there are findings of mortars that are suspected to be active," he said.

A collector of used goods, Ataqwa said he got the 20 mortars from someone in Selat Nasik Village.

"I looked for iron into the Nasik Strait because someone offered me iron and then I bought it," he said.

According to him, based on the seller's statement, the 20 mortars were found while diving looking for sea cucumbers in the waters of Sumedang Island, Membalong.

"He said he could dive on the seabed, then the mortar was lifted and at the seabed the location was also found by the sinking ship," he said.

Ataqwa, who felt odd about the discovery of the item, reported it to the authorities.

"I bought this item around before Ramadan fasting, so it's been 20 days here safely, but I feel strange, so I reported it to the Kodim," he said.