PAPAR: Villagers in Kinarut awakened this morning by news that another old bomb, believed to be a relic of the Second World War and believed to be still active, was found at a construction site in Kinarut here this morning.
Papar district police chief Supt Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka said preliminary checks found that the old Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) bomb was the same size as the first bomb found on Tuesday (Feb 25).
He said after receiving a report about the incident at 7.30am, police from the Papar district police headquarters and the Bomb Disposal Unit (UPB) of the Sabah Contingent Police Headquarters went to the site before confirming that the object was a bomb left behind after the Second World War.
“We will hold a district-level meeting by calling the agencies involved to coordinate the work of disposing these bomb, we do not want to disturb public order and damage property, we want confirmation from the agencies and companies involved before disposing the bomb.
“We have information that this bomb is still active and dangerous, that’s why we want to take action but the safety of the people is priority,” he said when met here, today.
Kamaruddin said the second bomb was found at a distance of about three metres from the location where the first bomb was found, and several nearby areas would be temporarily closed and announcements would be made to ensure the safety of the public.
On Tuesday, an old bomb measuring 120 centimeters and weighing 250 kilograms was found by workers carrying out cleaning work at the construction site at 1.30 pm, before the bomb was disposed of yesterday.
Meanwhile, Kamaruddin in a statement tonight said that the Papar District Disaster Management Committee meeting had decided to dispose of the bomb at the location where it was found at 10am on Sunday. (March 2).
He said the bomb disposal operation would be carried out based on the standard operating procedures set and advised the public not to be within a 1k radius of the area where the bomb was found.
Kamaruddin said residents living within a radius of 1 kilometre where the bomb was located were advised to leave their homes and stay in open areas, outside the 1km radius.
“Bring valuables with you when you leave the residence, lower fragile items on the floor, make sure the mirror windows are open and make sure the doors of the residence are locked.
“Several major roads will be closed at a distance of 1km and the public is advised to find alternative roads. Police will ensure the safety of the public and try to prevent damages to property,” he said.
