The United States army has flown a team to Solomon Islands to help dispose of dangerous munitions left over from the Second World War and believed to contain mustard gas.
Officials say the three-day operation with Solomons police resulted in the blowing up of four shells on Mbanika Island following a request for assistance from the Solomons government.
The head of the Solomon Islands Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, Senior Sergeant Rex Waiwori, says the controlled explosions were necessary to ensure the rounds and suspected chemicals were totally destroyed under safe conditions.
He says the destruction of the shells removed the danger of accidental gas leaks.
American forces fought bloody battles against the Japanese in the Solomons in 1942-43, leaving behind much equipment and old munitions in the jungles and seas of the island nation.
