Operation to clear WWI, WWII explosives begins off Lithuania

VILNIUS, May 9 (Xinhua) -- An operation to find and clear unexploded ammunition off the coast of Lithuania began on Friday, the Baltic News Service (BNS) has reported.

According to the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the mission aims to safeguard existing underwater infrastructure.

Thousands of explosives from World War I and World War II remain scattered across the Baltic seabed, posing a danger to both maritime navigation and infrastructure, said Commander of the Lithuanian Navy Capt (N) Giedrius Premeneckas.

The 15-day operation will also involve underwater survey of an area designated for a future wind farm, the military said. ■