VIDEO shows the moment an ‘unknown object’ was blown up in a controlled explosion on Weymouth Beach.
Police officers responded to a report of an object being found in the water by a member of the public on a boat at Weymouth Marina at midday today (Tuesday, October 12).
The neighbouring Westwey Road and Rodwell Road was closed by police officers as they put a 100-metre cordon in place around the boat.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit attended the scene to remove the item.
The ‘unknown object’ was taken to Weymouth Beach where the area was cleared by police officers to allow a controlled explosion to take place at around 4.30pm.
The video, which can be seen above, shows an empty beach as army personnel prepare to carry out the controlled explosion.
With an onlooking crowd, the denotation threw sand up into the air as the loud sound of the explosion rung out in the area.
Christine Brown, who filmed the explosion, said she was walking back to her car at Pavilion car park when she saw the bomb disposal team on the beach.
She said: “At approximately 4pm, we were heading back to the car park when the bomb disposal team arrived and began searching an area close to the sea line.
“Police arrived and promptly evacuated the area safely.
“The bomb disposal team were able to complete a controlled explosion of an item within 30 minutes.”
The tourist from Stratford-upon-Avon added that it was 'nerve-wracking' waiting for detonation and recalled how 'sand showered down on us' in the car park.
She said: "I thought the incident was dealt with really quickly and efficiently. It was both exciting and nerve-wracking waiting for the moment of detonation.
"The explosion was much louder than anticipated and the sand showered down on us as far as the Pavilion car park."
A spokesman for Dorset Police said at the time: “Dorset Police received a report at midday on Tuesday, October 12 that an unknown object had been found in the water by a member of the public on a boat at Weymouth Marina.
“A 100-metre cordon has been put in place around the boat for the safety of members of the public.
“The EOD has been notified and will be attending the location.”
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