Italy clears century-old bombs from melting peaks

Italian military units recovered more than 200 unexploded munitions from the Dolomites in September. The items include artillery shells and hand grenades left behind by Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces during the First World War. Army officials stated that the discoveries resulted from the retreat of glacial ice in the region.

The ordnance surfaced during the summer melt season. Hikers reported sightings of the debris primarily around Canal San Bovo in the Primiero Valley. This area is located in the eastern Trentino region. The reports prompted the Italian army to conduct searches across high-altitude zones in Trentino-Alto Adige. Retreating glaciers and melting snow have exposed the explosives in these locations.

Recent operations targeted specific areas in the Adamello-Brenta region of Trento. These included Carè Alto and Vedretta di Lares. Teams also worked in Val Martello and the Stelvio area in Bolzano. Munitions were found at Cima Tre Cannoni and along the edges of the Livrio glacier. The army said the work aims to reduce risks for mountaineers, hikers, and tourists who use these trails.

Army officials noted that the operations require technical expertise due to steep slopes and high-altitude terrain. They described the process as clearing hidden dangers from areas frequently visited by the public. The officials said that as ice retreats, history resurfaces along with dangers from the past. They added that the mountains continue to yield unexploded ordnance from the Great War more than a century later.

The White War was fought between 1915 and 1918 in freezing, rugged mountain terrain. Troops endured extreme cold and dug into defensive positions on snow-covered peaks. The conflict involved bitter fighting between Italian and Austrian armies in this alpine environment. The conditions were among the harshest of the First World War.

The army said the risks posed by the munitions are not always immediately visible. The danger tends to increase with altitude. As climate change continues to melt the Dolomites glaciers, more of the White War’s dangerous legacy is expected to emerge. The military continues to clear these areas to ensure the safety of people exploring the mountains.

The latest finds follow a larger group of ordnance discovered during the summer melt. The army said the items were found in September. The operations focus on making mountain environments safer for those who visit. The munitions have been stored for over a hundred years under the ice.