In a harrowing incident that could have ended in disaster, a family narrowly avoided catastrophe after unknowingly posing for photographs next to an unexploded World War II mine, initially mistaken for a harmless buoy. This shocking turn of events took place on a beach near Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, leaving the family stunned by their unwitting brush with danger.

Kelly Gravell, a 32-year-old mother, was accompanied by her two children during their visit to the beach last Wednesday. Little did they know that their seemingly innocent beach outing would take a perilous turn. While strolling along the shoreline, the family stumbled upon a peculiar object, partially concealed by seaweed. At first glance, it appeared to be an innocuous buoy, a common sight along coastal areas.

The beach in question had been a frequent destination for the Gravell family, making the subsequent events even more astonishing. What transpired in the following days was nothing short of a chilling revelation. Just five days after their visit, the beach was abruptly closed. Carmarthenshire Council rangers, conducting routine inspections, identified the object as a 70-year-old bomb from World War II.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the council swiftly called in the bomb squad to neutralize the potential threat. A controlled detonation was carried out, capturing the attention of onlookers and highlighting the inherent danger posed by wartime relics hidden beneath the sands. Dramatic footage recorded a significant explosion on the far side of the harbor as experts rendered the bomb safe.

Gareth, the father, took to Twitter to share his surprise and disbelief. He posted images of his children, Erin and Ellis, playfully interacting with the disguised explosive during their earlier beach visit. In a humorous tone, his tweet read, “So the buoy my kids were jumping on all weekend turns out to be a WWII bomb. Oops.” The gravity of their unintentional encounter with the bomb had been met with humor, underscoring the family’s fortunate escape from harm.

Reflecting on the incident, Kelly Gravell expressed her shock and gratitude that disaster had been averted. She remarked, “We were close to disaster – it’s shocking.” The couple, who run a waste management firm, acknowledged their intention to return to the beach but with heightened caution. Ms. Gravell emphasized that while they wouldn’t be overly concerned, they would exercise increased vigilance in the future. She stated, “We’ll definitely think twice before messing with something like that in the future.”

Councillor Meryl Gravell, the executive board member for leisure at Carmarthenshire Council, reassured the public that the appropriate measures had been taken to address the situation. She extended her apologies to the public for any inconvenience caused by the temporary beach closure. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that remnants of wartime history can pose, even in seemingly serene coastal settings.

This unsettling incident underscores the paramount importance of vigilance and caution when exploring unfamiliar objects on the beach. The potential risks may not always be apparent at first glance, and a lighthearted dismissal of a seemingly innocuous item could have dire consequences. As the Gravell family’s experience highlights, a simple day at the beach can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation if we fail to acknowledge the historical remnants lurking beneath the sands of time.