What to do if you find a bomb

 

POLICE SPOKESMAN Andreas Angelides yesterday highlighted the dos and don’ts for those who unexpectedly find themselves face-to-face with an explosive device. 

He urged members of the public not to attempt to move any explosive devices they may find, and certainly not to bring them to a police station.

Dangerously close to stating the obvious, Angelides made his plea after a man triggered a security scare in Nicosia on Wednesday when he walked into a central police station carrying a bomb he found in his driveway. 

Petros Konafis, 33, a former footballer and now agent, discovered a suspicious device on the rear window of his car and after drawing a blank on what it was doing there, decided to take it to Paphos Gate police station for further scrutiny by experts.

Police only discovered it was a makeshift bomb which had failed to go off after the bomb squad arrived on the scene, triggering the evacuation of the complex.

The object was a “makeshift high intensity explosive” attached to a detonator and a fuse.

It was defused on site by explosives experts.

Speaking to state broadcaster CyBC yesterday, Angelides said Wednesday’s events could have ended tragically. 

“All the elements were there, explosive material, a fuse, detonator. By moving it, this could have caused an explosion, risking the death and serious injury of those next to or near the device,” he said. 

“Our policy has always been whoever finds something and wherever it is, you don’t move it under any circumstances. You inform police immediately. We have a very specific action plan for such incidents, to cordon off the area at a great distance, and wait for the bomb squad to arrive, examine the scene and take decisions,” he added. 

The police spokesman dispensed even more critical advice for the unfortunate soul who finds themselves staring at an explosive device: they should definitely call the police but not before moving away from the suspect device first. 

“You do not use a walkie-talkie or even a mobile phone next to the device. You call the police, but always from a distance,” clarified Angelides.

 

 

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