A total of 467 UXOs safely remove and destroy during an operation in Western and Choiseul Provinces

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department (EODD) of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) have removed and destroyed a total of 467 Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) in Western and Choiseul Provinces recently.

In Western Province, RSIPF-EODD conducted operations in Munda and surrounding communities, as well as on Rendova and Kolombangara Islands. A total of 352 UXO items were safely removed and destroyed during the operations.

In Choiseul Province, UXO disposal operations were conducted at Tarepasika, Taro, Sagigae, and surrounding communities. A total of 43 UXO items, including a large aerial bomb, were safely removed and destroyed.

Further operations were also conducted in the Shortland Islands, including Nila, Laohoai, Lofung, and surrounding communities, where an additional 72 UXO items, including an aerial bomb, were safely destroyed.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Operations (NO) Mr Lionel Kapisa said the items destroyed included various remnants of World War II military ordnance, such as grenades, mortars, projectiles, rockets, and aerial bombs.

“These hundreds of UXO items were exposed or brought to the attention of communities following the recent Tropical Cyclone Maila. Local communities reported the items to the police, and our EODD teams responded and dealt with them accordingly,” Mr Kapisa said.

Mr Kapisa also acknowledged the continued support provided by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through the Defence Cooperation Program, which has assisted the RSIPF-EODD in carrying out its demanding operational responsibilities across the Solomon Islands.

“I want to acknowledge the support provided through the Australian Defence Force and the Defence Cooperation Program, which has helped enable the Department to undertake this demanding work in support of communities across the Solomon Islands. I also want to thank the members of the RSIPF-EODD for their tireless efforts and commitment in successfully completing these operations across multiple locations over a short period of time,” said Mr Kapisa.

RSIPF has thanked communities in Western and Choiseul Provinces for their cooperation and support during recent UXO disposal operations conducted across both provinces.

The RSIPF urges communities in Western, Choiseul, and other affected provinces to continue reporting any suspected UXO or explosive remnants of war to the police. Members of the public can contact the RSIPF-EODD directly on phone number 7495215 or report the matter to their nearest police station.

The RSIPF thanks all communities, local leaders, and members of the public for their continued cooperation and support in helping to identify explosive hazards and keep communities safe.

325lb Tripod lift

Barage Rockets removed from underwater to a safe disposal area

Corroded projectiles brought out from the coastline in Western Province

Grenades and a mortar Bareke area in Munda

Stacks of mortars and projectiles before final destructions in Munda WProvince

325lb bomb disposal – protective works

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