Munitions in Lake Geneva are safe

The explosives and ammunition that have been dumped in Lake Geneva are safe – and the chance of an explosion is low.

That’s the conclusion following a major survey of the artillery shells, bullets and grenades that are sitting in the mud. 

Up to 1,000 tonnes of munitions are thought to be in the lake. It was thought to be a safe place to discard the dangerous material between the years of 1940 and 1980.

The Geneva cantonal geologist, Jacques Martelain, says it's safe providing it all stays at a constant depth and is not put under stress. He adds there’s little chance of a storm disturbing the dumping ground. 

For security reasons, the exact location of the explosives is being kept secret.  But it is known they’re the Petit Lac area – in the middle of the lake off the shore of Versoix. 
 

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