TNT blocks found in dried-up Austrian lake

Four blocks of TNT weighing a total of eight kilograms were found in the dried-up Nussensee lake near Bad Ischl, Upper Austria, ORF reported. A man from Tyrol discovered the explosives, prompting the bomb disposal service to respond again on Friday afternoon.

The service secured and destroyed the explosives.

Ongoing drought has lowered the water level of the lake, which is about 15 metres deep, from around 15 metres to 10 metres. The discovery follows earlier finds of explosives and war material that had been sunk in the lake after the Second World War.

During a previous search, Bundesheer bomb disposal experts found and secured two one-kilogram TNT charges, hundreds of detonators, screws and two stick grenades. The Gmunden district authority had temporarily prohibited access to the area after the first discovery.

Police warned that further dangerous objects could be found around the dried-up lake. Anyone who discovers a suspicious object should contact the police immediately and must not touch it because of the risk of an explosion.