Hundreds of World War I Munitions Exposed by Melting Ice Removed From Dolomites
Specialists cleared the shells after rapid glacier retreat exposed munitions buried under snow and ice for more than 100 years, the army said.
- The Italian Army's Julia Alpine brigade removed 250 World War I-era munitions from the Italian Dolomites after rapidly retreating glaciers exposed the hazardous devices buried for more than 100 years.
- These devices date to the White War fought between Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies between 1915 and 1918; extreme temperatures in summer 2026 accelerated glacial melting, exposing the buried ordnance.
- Specialists from the 2nd Engineer Regiment began cleanup in early August, requiring "solid mountaineering skills" to navigate inaccessible, high-altitude terrain throughout the Trentino-Alto Adige region.
- Munitions discovered by hikers and following a road accident near Caldonazzo prompted removals; a cache of 75-millimeter shells near Bieno forced temporary closure of a popular mountaineering route.
- Authorities launched a safety campaign after the summer reclamation campaign ended October 16, urging hikers to report suspicious munitions with photographs rather than touching them.
26 Articles
26 Articles
The Independent
The Independent (US)World War I bombs and grenades uncovered by Italy's melting glaciers
The Italian army has uncovered a tranche of ordnance dating back to the White War of the First World War
Remarked by hikers, the ammunition was finally neutralized by the Italian army. ...
Rising Temperatures Reveal Unexploded World War I Ammunition in Italy’s Mountains
The Italian army has removed around 250 World War I-era munitions exposed by retreating glaciers in the Dolomites, raising safety concerns for hikers and mountain workers. The artillery shells, mortar bombs and other ammunition were discovered across the Trentino-Alto Adige region, including along popular hiking routes. According to a statement from the army’s Julia Alpine brigade, specialists began clearing the devices in early August and compl…
The accelerated melting of glaciers in the Dolomites, a mountain range in northern Italy, revealed an arsenal of World War I weapons. According to the Italian Army, Italian artillery shells and French mortar shells were found, which were preserved in the ice for over 100 years. The weapons date back to the period known as the "White War", a conflict between the Italian troops and the Austro-Hungarian Army, between 1915 and 1918. Specialists hear…
The accelerated melting of glaciers in the Dolomite Mountains, in northern Italy, brings to the surface traces of battles carried out more than a century ago. The discoveries made this summer led the Italian army to carry out an extensive operation in the mountain areas, after several tourists reported the presence of dangerous objects, reports The Guardian.
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