by InTrieste
A 250-kilogram unexploded World War II bomb was unearthed on Thursday in the Transalpina area of Gorizia, causing authorities to consider a large-scale evacuation this weekend. The bomb was found by construction workers renovating a warehouse that is set to become the Epicenter, a museum dedicated to the history of the 20th-century border region. This discovery adds to the growing list of unexploded wartime ordnance still being uncovered across Europe decades after the conflict.
The bomb, identified as British in origin, was found lying just beneath the surface, according to officials from the National Unit for Unexploded Ordnance Protection (Nus). Despite being largely intact, the bomb’s precarious positioning—its nose pointed upward as if it had rebounded after impact—has prompted immediate concern from authorities.
“It was a tactical bomb, but something didn’t go as expected when it fell,” said Aljaž Leban, head of the Nus for the Northern Littoral region. “The circumstances surrounding this particular bomb are still unclear.”
Local firefighters and police arrived swiftly on the scene, alongside bomb disposal experts, who reported the ordnance had a single mechanical detonator. The discovery closely mirrors a similar incident in March when a trio of bombs was found in the same vicinity, suggesting that the area may still hold more remnants from World War II.
An emergency meeting is scheduled for Friday morning at the Prefecture to finalize evacuation plans. The bomb disposal operation, dubbed “B-Day,” could begin as early as Sunday, though it may face logistical challenges, with resources stretched thin due to the ongoing World Folklore Festival in Gorizia. Authorities are grappling with how to allocate personnel for the bomb disposal without disrupting the high-profile cultural event.
“We are struggling to find enough staff,” said Mayor Rodolfo Ziberna of Gorizia. “The police, firefighters, civil protection, and medical teams will all be tied up with the festival on Sunday.”
Despite these challenges, local officials are pushing to defuse the bomb as soon as possible. Gorizia is set to be inaugurated as a European Capital of Culture in early 2025, and delays in the warehouse’s transformation into the Epicenter museum are not an option. The museum will showcase the area’s historical legacy, including relics unearthed during the Transalpina railway station’s ongoing redevelopment.
The clock is ticking for the project’s February 8th unveiling, leaving little room for postponement. Yet, safety remains the top priority. The evacuation zone for Sunday could mirror that of March’s B-Day operation, which affected hundreds of residents. Then, three hours were set aside for bomb disposal experts to neutralize three unexploded bombs. However, this time, with only one bomb and its condition reportedly stable, authorities hope the process will be faster.
Operations are expected to start around 10 a.m. and, if all goes as planned, be completed within an hour, ensuring the bomb is safely removed without interfering with the festivities.
