Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in August 2015.
In a startling turn of events, a family narrowly averted disaster after unknowingly posing for photographs next to an unexploded World War II mine, initially mistaken for a harmless buoy. Kelly Gravell, accompanied by her two children, stumbled upon the seaweed-covered object on a beach near Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, last Wednesday.
Gareth Gravell with his children on the beach, Photo Credit: Gareth Gravell/Facebook
What started as a joyful weekend at the beach for Gareth Gravell and his young children turned into an unforgettable—and alarming—memory just days later.
Gareth, a father from the UK, had taken his kids, six-year-old Erin and four-year-old Ellis, to a local beach in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, for some sun, sand, and family fun. Among the many objects dotting the coastline, one in particular had caught their attention: a large, round item that resembled an old buoy. The children clambered onto it repeatedly, laughing and playing as if it were just another piece of seaside scenery.
But the harmless-looking “buoy” was hiding a dangerous secret.
Just five days later, beachgoers were stunned when local Carmarthenshire Council rangers abruptly closed the beach and cordoned off the area. Upon closer investigation, it was discovered that the object wasn’t a buoy at all—it was a World War II-era bomb, lying dormant but still potentially lethal.
Bomb disposal experts were immediately called to the scene. After assessing the threat, they made the decision to conduct a controlled detonation. Dramatic video footage captured the moment a powerful explosion rocked the area, sending water and sand high into the air as the bomb was safely neutralized on the far side of the harbor.
Gareth Gravell shared the unbelievable turn of events on social media, posting photos of his children innocently climbing and jumping on what they had assumed was an old nautical relic. His now-viral tweet read, “So the buoy my kids were jumping on all weekend turns out to be a WWII bomb. Oops.”
The tweet quickly gained traction online, with thousands reacting in shock, amusement, and gratitude that no one was harmed.
Gareth later said he was “completely stunned” by the news. “You just never think something like that would happen at a beach you visit all the time,” he told reporters. “It looked old and rusted, but we assumed it was part of the usual debris you find along the coast.”
Experts believe the bomb may have been buried under the sand for decades, only recently exposed by shifting tides or weather conditions.
Local authorities have since thanked the public for their cooperation during the evacuation and reminded residents to always report suspicious or unknown objects, especially in areas with historic military activity.
What could have been a tragedy ended in relief—and served as a stark reminder that even the most ordinary outings can sometimes take extraordinary turns. For Gareth and his family, it was a close call and a story they’ll never forget.
Erin and Ellis Gravell posing next to an unexploded World War II mine, Photo Credit: Kelly Gravell/Facebook
Ms. Gravell recounted that during their beach outing, they were more engrossed in the barnacles on the object than its true nature. With the tide up, the family had unintentionally stumbled upon the historic bomb, humorously dismissing it as a buoy. Even a light-hearted comment about it being a “big bomb” was made at the time without a second thought.
Reflecting on the incident, Ms. Gravell remarked, “We were close to disaster – it’s shocking.” The couple, who run a waste management firm, expressed their intent to return to the beach, emphasizing that while they wouldn’t be overly concerned, they would exercise increased caution.
Authorities detonating the unexploded World War II mine, Photo Credit: Adam Why/Youtube
Ms. Gravell stated, “I wouldn’t be worried about going back, but we will definitely be more cautious when we do. We’ll definitely think twice before messing with something like that in the future, and we went down for a look to see it get blown up.”
Councillor Meryl Gravell, executive board member for leisure at Carmarthenshire Council, assured the public that appropriate action had been taken to address the situation. Despite any inconvenience caused by the temporary beach closure, she extended apologies to the public.
Authorities detonating the unexploded World War II mine, Photo Credit: Adam Why/Youtube
The family’s unwitting encounter with the unexploded bomb serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that remnants of wartime history can pose, even in seemingly serene coastal settings. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance and caution when exploring unfamiliar objects on the beach, as the potential risks might not always be apparent at first glance.
