Mar 18 • 13:36 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania 15min

Traffic on the busy highway suddenly stopped: danger lurked underground for decades

A traffic incident on Tilžės plento in Tauragė was caused by the discovery of a possibly explosive object buried underground since World War II.

On March 18, during the morning rush hour, traffic on the busy Tilžės plento highway in Tauragė was halted when police cordoned off the area due to the discovery of an object resembling an explosive. The police promptly redirected traffic to surrounding city streets as a precaution for the local residents and homes situated nearby. This response was part of Plan 'Skydas', initiated by law enforcement to ensure the safety of both drivers and citizens in the vicinity.

The situation arose while road workers were constructing a pedestrian and bicycle path along the highway, where they unearthed the potentially dangerous relic from World War II. Emergency services, including police, firefighters, and paramedics, were stationed at the scene to handle the situation efficiently. The initial apprehension stemmed from the possibility of the object posing a threat, prompting the involvement of bomb disposal experts from the Lithuanian Army to assess the find immediately.

By 11:23 AM, after thorough examination and safe transport of the object to a secure location, the authorities lifted the restrictions, allowing traffic on Tilžės plento to resume. This incident underscores the hidden dangers that can exist underground, particularly in areas with a history of conflict, and highlights the importance of vigilance and preparedness from emergency services in maintaining public safety.

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