210 artillery shells found in Pagėgiai municipality

Lithuanian emergency services removed 210 artillery shells from a site in Pagėgiai municipality on Thursday, state broadcaster LRT reports.

The Fire and Rescue Department (PAGD) received a report at 11:00 local time that explosives had been discovered in Natkiškiai village, Natkiškiai eldership. Bomb disposal specialists confirmed the find as 210 units of 45 mm artillery shells, which were transported to a firing range for controlled detonation.

The discovery follows a series of similar incidents across northern and western Lithuania this week. In Pakruojis district, a 76 mm artillery shell was found in Dvariūkai village and destroyed on-site. In Šiauliai district, an 82 mm mortar mine and a 172 mm explosive device were located in Kužiai eldership, while a 170 mm World War II-era artillery shell was recovered in Šiauliai city.

Additional finds included an 82 mm mortar mine in Juodinkiai village (Šiauliai district) and a 76 mm artillery shell in Telšiai, both safely removed by disposal teams.

All incidents triggered the activation of emergency response plan “Skydas” (Shield), with fire crews securing sites until bomb disposal units arrived.