Reward money promised for dumped Swiss ammunition

600,000 kronor is in the prize pot for whoever can help the Swiss defense department. Thousands of tons of ammunition dumped in the country's lakes must now be picked up in a safe manner, reports BBC.

» Updated: August 25 2024

» Published: August 18 2024

Reward money promised for dumped Swiss ammunition
Photo: Urs Flueeler/AP/TT

Share this article

In recent years, the Swiss military has dumped old ammunition in Lake Brienz, Lake Vierwaldstätter, Lake Thun, and Lake Neuchâtel, believing it to be a safe disposal site.

Only in Lake Vierwaldstätter is it estimated that there are 3,300 tons, and in Lake Neuchâtel 4,500 tons – where the Swiss air force had bomb training exercises until 2021. Some ammunition lies at a depth of 150 to 200 meters, while in Lake Neuchâtel, only six to seven meters from the surface.

Now, the Defense Department wants to tackle the problem and is offering 50,000 francs, equivalent to over 600,000 kronor, to the person with the best idea for how to retrieve the ammunition. The three best ideas for a safe and environmentally friendly solution will share the prize money.

The salvage operation is expected to take years and cost billions. The fact that the ammunition was dumped has been generally known for decades, but only now have discussions about safety flared up. There is a risk of explosion since the fuses were not always removed during dumping, and a risk of highly toxic water and soil pollution.

Until February, proposals can be submitted, and the winners will be announced in April.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Trump Ordered to Pay 780 Million Kronor in Defamation Case
1 MIN READ

Trump Ordered to Pay 780 Million Kronor in Defamation Case

Protests in Nepal Over Social Media Ban Leave 19 Dead
2 MIN READ

Protests in Nepal Over Social Media Ban Leave 19 Dead

Pussy Riot Member Released in Poland After Arrest
1 MIN READ

Pussy Riot Member Released in Poland After Arrest

Spain Implements Measures Against Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
1 MIN READ

Spain Implements Measures Against Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

Is Africa Prepared for Its Rapidly Aging Population?
4 MIN READ

Is Africa Prepared for Its Rapidly Aging Population?

Norway's Wealth Tax Debate Heats Up Ahead of Election
3 MIN READ

Norway's Wealth Tax Debate Heats Up Ahead of Election

Four Teenagers Die in Hamar Norway House Fire
1 MIN READ

Four Teenagers Die in Hamar Norway House Fire

Multiple Killed in Jerusalem Bus Shooting, Perpetrators Dead
2 MIN READ

Multiple Killed in Jerusalem Bus Shooting, Perpetrators Dead

France Faces Political Turmoil as PM Bayrou Faces Confidence Vote
2 MIN READ

France Faces Political Turmoil as PM Bayrou Faces Confidence Vote

Father Shot by Police After Hiding with Kids in New Zealand Forest
1 MIN READ

Father Shot by Police After Hiding with Kids in New Zealand Forest

EU Weighs New Sanctions on Russian Banks and Energy Firms
2 MIN READ

EU Weighs New Sanctions on Russian Banks and Energy Firms

EU Sees 23% Drop in Asylum Applications in First Half of the Year
1 MIN READ

EU Sees 23% Drop in Asylum Applications in First Half of the Year

Thermal Power Plant Shelled in Kyiv Region Amid Russian Attacks
1 MIN READ

Thermal Power Plant Shelled in Kyiv Region Amid Russian Attacks

Listhaug Challenges Støre and Solberg in Norway's Election
2 MIN READ

Listhaug Challenges Støre and Solberg in Norway's Election

Life Sentence for Woman in Deadly Mushroom Poisoning in Australia
1 MIN READ

Life Sentence for Woman in Deadly Mushroom Poisoning in Australia

EU Delegation Heads to Washington for Russia Sanctions Talks
2 MIN READ

EU Delegation Heads to Washington for Russia Sanctions Talks

Israel Supreme Court Orders More Food for Palestinian Prisoners
1 MIN READ

Israel Supreme Court Orders More Food for Palestinian Prisoners

Trump Issues Final Warning to Hamas on Hostage Settlement
2 MIN READ

Trump Issues Final Warning to Hamas on Hostage Settlement

London Subway Strike Halts Trains for Several Days This Week
1 MIN READ

London Subway Strike Halts Trains for Several Days This Week

Pussy Riot Member Arrested by Polish Border Guards
1 MIN READ

Pussy Riot Member Arrested by Polish Border Guards