WW2 mine dredged up by fishing boat destroyed

Image source, Charlotte Jones

Image caption, Royal Navy divers carried out a controlled explosion
  • Author, Tanya Gupta
  • Role, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ News, South East

A magnetic mine from World War Two which was dredged up by a fishing boat has been blown up in a controlled explosion off the Kent coast.

The Royal Navy said members of its Portsmouth-based bomb disposal team were called to Herne Bay on Thursday morning, after a vessel dredged up a mine.

A Royal Navy spokesman said: β€œDivers placed an explosive charge on the ordnance and safely carried out a demolition.”

Officials said the ordnance was a German GD Magnetic influence mine.

Magnetic mines lay on the bottom of the sea until triggered by the metal hull of a ship that passed above.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the alarm was raised by those on board the fishing vessel at about 07:40 BST.

Coastguard teams assisted with a cordon for public safety and Kent Police were also alerted.

Follow ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Kent on , on , and on . Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.