RSIPF EOD explains the recent explosion in East Honiara

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team are continuing their investigation in relation to the explosion that took two lives on 25 October 2021.

Officer In-charge (OIC) of the EOD team, Inspector Clifford Tunuki says, “It is possible that it is a type of demolition charge referred to as a Bangalore torpedo. Although none of the measurements taken from Japanese and US, technical manuals match this particular item. At this stage we are not confirming anything, but we are investigating.”

OIC Tunuki says, “It is not a munition we normally locate but it may have been an abandoned demolition charge (which is what a Bangalore torpedo is). Currently we are continuing our investigations and have gone as far as the US to try and confirm where and when this item was manufactured.”

Inspector Tunuki says, “It may have been an improvised device manufactured as far back as World War II (WWII). Until we have completed our investigations but there is no point in speculating. Investigation is ongoing and we are trying to determine the best answer to a difficult question and that takes time.”

Mr Tunuki says, “Given the amount of battles fought in Guadalcanal and the greater Solomon Islands there are a lot of UXOs and sometimes-raw explosives just lying around. If you do not know where something has come from, if it looks like it is from WWII and if it has a hidden space then it could contain explosives or energetic material.”

He says, “Always remember that if you suspect an item that may contain something dangerous or you do not know what it is, then call the Police free toll line on phone 999 or call EOD on phone 7495215.”