Bomb Disposal Experts Destroy Six Decaying Anti-Hail Rockets Found in House

Guardia Civil bomb disposal experts safely dismantled six ancient anti-hail rockets found inside an abandoned house in Pétrola, Albacete province. The explosives were discovered by the homeowner while tidying the vacant building. Realising the objects posed a potential threat, the owner reported them to the authorities. A Guardia Civil officer from the Explosive Device Search and Location Team was dispatched to the scene for further examination.

Safety precautions were put in place around the property as additional details were relayed to the operations centre. The Explosives Disposal Group in Alicante was informed, and two specialist officers accompanied by specialist equipment travelled to Pétrola to inspect and remove the devices. Despite their external appearance seeming innocuous, internal charges had become unstable and could have detonated if improperly handled.

Anti-hail rockets were historically employed to deter hailstorms that might harm crops; however, deteriorated or improperly stored devices can remain dangerous long after manufacture. The rockets were taken to a secure location nearby and safely destroyed in a carefully controlled explosion using specialised gear. The incident served as a reminder for the public not to handle or relocate any potentially explosive, incendiary, or pyrotechnic items.

If encountering a suspicious object, individuals should evacuate the area and call the Guardia Civil emergency number immediately. The public can also report suspicious objects via the AlertCops mobile application, which facilitates direct communication with Spain's security forces and provides precise location details for rapid response.

The Guardia Civil underscored that seemingly harmless or aged explosives must always be approached with extreme caution since their condition cannot be accurately gauged visually, and deterioration can make their internal components extremely sensitive to movement or mishandling.