For a few weeks now, dredging has been going on in the Muidertrekvaart in Muiden. For years there was a powder factory on the water, so there are many explosives in the water that have not exploded. Because a new residential area is being built on the site of the factory, the municipality of Gooise Meren now thinks it is time to clean up the canal.
Those explosives probably ended up in the water during transport, but the many explosions in the powder factory also resulted in the ammunition being thrown everywhere. Especially at the site of the largest explosion, in 1947, the dredgers lift one explosive after another, reports NH News.
With the arrival of the new residential area, there will also be more recreation in the water in the future. “This also means that the risk of an explosive being found by fishermen or swimmers will increase. The municipality does not think that is safe, so we want to have all the explosives from the Muidertrekvaart”, says project leader Meindert Heemstra. “If you hit an explosive with a shovel and it creates a spark or whatever, it can be dangerous.”
Big safe
The municipality has engaged a special company that safely removes the dredging from service. The dredge is then sieved and examined for ammunition.
“We mainly find artillery ammunition and high-explosive shells of different calibres,” says advisor Tim Hebbink. “As soon as an explosive is found, the work is stopped and it is checked exactly what it is. If everything is safe, the explosive is placed in an ammunition container. You can compare it with a large safe that has extra protection.”
The ammunition found is rendered harmless by the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Service Defense. The dredging work is expected to take another two weeks.
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