July the 17th, 2026 – Croatian authorities have successfully removed several unexploded World War II artillery shells from the seabed near the island of Hvar.
The move followed a coordinated operation involving police divers and bomb disposal experts. This highly dangerous ordnance was discovered underwater in an area frequently used by boats and recreational swimmers. Index reports that after the location was fully secured, trained specialists carried out a controlled recovery operation, carefully lifting the shells from the seabed before transporting them to a safe location for disposal.
According to police, the operation was completed without incident, eliminating a potential hazard to residents, tourists and maritime traffic during the busy summer season.
Although over eighty years have passed since the end of the Second World War, unexploded military ordnance continues to be found across Croatia, both on land and underwater. The Adriatic Sea still contains plenty of remnants of wartime operations, making occasional discoveries of shells, mines and other explosive devices not uncommon. Such munitions can remain dangerous for decades despite prolonged exposure to the damage of the salt content in seawater.
Authorities have once again reminded the public that anyone who discovers suspected unexploded ordnance should never attempt to move or examine it. Instead, they should immediately notify the police, who have specially trained bomb disposal units responsible for safely handling such devices.
The successful operation near Hvar highlights the ongoing work carried out by Croatia’s emergency services to remove wartime explosives from the country’s coastline and seabed. With millions of visitors expected along the Adriatic each summer, regular inspections and rapid responses to such discoveries remain an important part of maintaining public safety.
While finds of this nature are relatively rare, they serve as a reminder that the legacy of the Second World War can still occasionally surface beneath Croatia’s crystal-clear waters.
