5 Oct 2004

Two 19th century artillery shells destroyed in French Polynesia

4:21 pm on 5 October 2004

French demining experts have disposed of two artillery shells on the French Polynesian island of Nuku Hiva that date back to 1863.

The Tahitipresse news agency reports that the two 500 gramme shells were found by an island resident.

The shells were placed in tyres before they were destroyed.

Last year, the French team disposed of 27 shells in French Polynesia, some of them dating back to the Second World War.