A deputy mayor in Satu Mare County, Romania, reportedly rode a scooter to the local police station while carrying an artillery shell under his arm. The unusual incident occurred in the commune of Vama, where workers renovating sidewalks discovered a large metal object during construction works, according to local media.
Suspecting that the object could be unexploded ammunition, the site manager called the deputy mayor to the scene.
After arriving, the local official picked up the artillery projectile, placed it under his arm and headed by scooter toward the local police station to hand it over to authorities. He was reportedly filmed in traffic while transporting the ammunition on his moped.
According to local media reports, police officers were surprised to see the deputy mayor arrive carrying the projectile and instructed him to take it to an isolated area in a nearby field. Specialists from the “Somes” Satu Mare Emergency Situations Inspectorate were subsequently called to identify and secure the ammunition.
Shell Found to Be Loaded
Experts determined that the object was a 75-millimeter artillery shell containing an explosive charge. The ammunition required handling exclusively by specialized personnel.
Following established procedures, the shell was transported to a specialized storage facility in Carei and subsequently neutralized.
Authorities used the incident to remind the public that unexploded ammunition must never be touched, struck, moved or transported.
Anyone who discovers a suspected piece of unexploded ordnance should immediately move away from the object and call the emergency number 112.