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Deadly relics: Vietnam War bombs found in rail yard
October 19, 1997
Web posted at: 11:55 a.m. EDT (1555 GMT)ROSEVILLE, California (CNN) -- A military bomb squad on Sunday destroyed eight unexploded Vietnam War-era bombs found by railroad workers replacing tracks in an area where a similar bomb was found two weeks ago.
There were no injuries or damage. The bombs were apparently left from a trainload of munitions bound for the Vietnam War that exploded in this Sacramento suburb 24 years ago.
About 300 to 500 people were evacuated from the area before the bomb squad detonated the bombs individually, digging four separate holes and detonating the bombs in two batches, sheriff's spokesman Jim Cooper said.
Sgt. Martin Hutchings, a bomb expert, said the detonations went off smoothly, with the bombs exploding at different levels of intensity.
The cluster of bombs was discovered Saturday afternoon. Six of the bombs were described as being in good condition. The other two were badly damaged by workers using earth-moving equipment.
Two weeks ago, another Vietnam War-era bomb was found in the same rail yard and detonated safely.
Union Pacific has voluntarily suspended construction in the area until Monday. The Army Corps of Engineers may inspect the yard, and railroad and sheriff officials are to meet to decide whether to take further action, Cooper said.
On April 28, 1973, a train carrying ammunition bound for the Vietnam War exploded in a day-long series of blasts. No one was killed.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related sites:
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- Sacramento Police Department Home Page
- 8 bombs found at Roseville rail yard: Residents evacuated again - from the Sacramento Bee
- The United States Army Corps of Engineers Information Network Home Page
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