Unexploded ordnance washes up on North Carolina beach

BUXTON, N.C. – Potential unexploded ordnance has washed onshore at a North Carolina beach, leading authorities to establish a safety perimeter to protect visitors, park rangers said Thursday.

A statement from Cape Hatteras National Seashore said the item was discovered on the beach at Buxton on Thursday near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access parking area. The encrusted bomb looks about three feet long and tube-shaped, with tail fins similar to those dropped from aircraft, The Virginian-Pilot reported.

The safety perimeter measures approximately a half-mile (0.8 kilometres) and will remain in place until a U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit from Norfolk, Virginia arrives on scene to safety removes the ordnance. According to the statement, the disposal unit was to arrive around mid-afternoon.

David Hallac, superintendent of National Parks of Eastern North Carolina, said big waves such as those created by Hurricane Epsilon, which is east of Bermuda, often lead to unexploded ordnance and practice bombs occasionally washing onshore.