The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team demolished more than 600 unexploded bombs (UXOs) in the Western Province during Operation Render Safe from 15 to 19 November 2018.
The Operation was conducted in Munda, Rendova, Ringi and Teme on Kolombangara Island.
Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the RSIPF EOD Team, Inspector Clifford Tunuki says, “For the first four days of the Operation our Team detonated 374 UXOs in Munda, Rendova, Ringi and Teme in Western Province. On the final day of the Operation today (19 November) we detonated 257 UXOs so the total number of UXOs detonated during the entire operation has reached 631 UXOs.”
OIC Tunuki adds: “We also received a total of 17 new reports of UXOs since we arrived in the Western Province for the Operation. We have also demolished these UXOs as well. We continue to receive more reports of sightings of UXOs but unfortunately we can only take note of them for next time as the current Operation has come to an end.”
Inspector Tunuki says, “I would like to acknowledge villagers around Munda, Ringi, Rendova and Teme where the operation was conducted for their cooperation. Members of the public are encouraged to report any sighting of UXOs to your nearest police station or through the Police Communication Centre on 23666 or the toll free 999. Do not attempt to touch any UXO discovered at any time.”