Currently, the 44th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diving Division is recovering the boxes from the bottom of Lake Landvettersjön outside Gothenburg for a couple of weeks. In Lake Landvettersjön, there are over a thousand detonators packed in a total of more than 60 boxes that were sunk in the water in 1955. The detonators are assessed as particularly sensitive—they can react to shocks or friction—which makes the work risky.
According to Aftonbladet, Nathaniel Arby described the handling as involving a risk. After recovery, the boxes will be transported to Remmene firing range where they will be destroyed through controlled explosions. The risk to the public is small as long as the ammunition remains on the bottom.
The handling can involve a risk, it absolutely can.
Larger safety zones are only needed when the ammunition is moved, according to officials. The work in Lake Landvettersjön is expected to continue for several more days. After World War II, the then Swedish Armed Forces dumped large amounts of ammunition in lakes around Sweden.
At the time, the method of dumping ammunition in water was considered safe for disposal, officials said. Today, the remains are considered a problem that must be dealt with, work that has been ongoing for many years around Sweden, according to officials. The operation is part of a larger effort where the Swedish Armed Forces around the country are trying to manage historical dumpings of ammunition.
Specific safety measures during the recovery to mitigate explosion risks have not been detailed. It is unclear how many other lakes in Sweden have similar dumpings requiring cleanup. The total cost or budget for this nationwide ammunition cleanup effort by the Swedish Armed Forces has not been disclosed.