VietNamNet Bridge - Deafening explosions emitted from a sand-bank in the city of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province at noon on June 3. Sappers blocked the scene and discovered additional 11 shells.

Sappers discovered additional 11 shells from the site.

Three explosions emitted at the construction material ground owned by Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan in Vinh Tuong Ward, Nha Trang city at noon on June 3. The first explosion was heard at 12 am. The second came after 15 minutes but no one cared about it. By the time of the third explosion, when flame flashed, local people informed the police of the incident.

Mr. Le Huu Khanh, who lives near the scene, said initially he thought that it was a gas explosion. When he heard two more explosions, he saw sand, stone and metal fragments thrown from the building material yard.

The authorities then blocked the site for investigation. Sappers determined that the explosions caused by phosphorus shells but fortunately there was no casualties.

Fragments of phosphorus shells from the building materials yard.(photo: VNE)

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Cuong, Party Secretary of Vinh Tuong Ward, Tuan bought sand from many places to screen for sale. Perhaps the shells mixed into the sand and they exploded because of the heat from the sun.

Some local people said the same morning Tuan collected three “pieces of iron” after screening sand. He asked a scrap trader to buy the iron things but she refused.

Policemen sprayed water on sand to reduce the temperature.

The same day, police used a fire truck to spray water to the sand bank to reduce the temperature. After that, sappers discovered 11 phosphorous shells.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Tuan, deputy commander of the military command of Nha Trang, said that the phosphorus shells were left by the U.S. military after the war. This type of shell is used to burn the grass so the damage is not strong.

PV