A significant collection of unexploded ordnance from the First World War has been recovered from the Dolomites after retreating glaciers exposed the dangerous remnants. The Italian army’s Julia Alpine brigade recently completed an operation to remove and neutralize approximately 250 explosive devices that had been encased in ice for over a century.
The munitions, which included a mix of Italian artillery shells and French mortar bombs, were discovered following reports from hikers who spotted the items emerging from the melting ice during the summer months. The rapid recession of the glaciers in the region has increasingly brought long-hidden artifacts of the Great War to the surface.
The recovery effort highlights the ongoing environmental impact on high-altitude historical sites, where shifting ice continues to reveal hazardous materials from past conflicts. The army successfully defused the cache, ensuring the safety of the popular mountain trails.
