Marines remove dangerous WWII explosive from Long Beach port

On October 7, 2025, a construction team at the Port of Long Beach, California, discovered an unexploded World War II-era shell while working at one of the container terminals. Upon finding the explosive device, the construction workers promptly notified law enforcement authorities. To ensure the safety of the surrounding area, officials from the Long Beach Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard quickly evacuated the vicinity. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s bomb squad was called in to assess the situation and determine the course of action necessary for dealing with the explosive. The bomb squad conducted an examination of the found ordnance and concluded that it required specialized assistance for safe removal. Consequently, they requested the expertise of an ordnance disposal team from the U.S. Marine Corps. The Marines arrived on-site to evaluate the shell and determined the best approach for its neutralization. Given the potential dangers associated with unexploded ordnance, the clearing of the explosive was considered urgent. To facilitate their operation, port officials closed the terminal where the explosive was found while maintaining operations at the five other container terminals in the area. The evacuation and containment responses were part of the protocols established for handling such potentially hazardous situations efficiently and safely. After the Marines successfully removed the WWII shell, they transported it to a separate location designated for off-site neutralization, mitigating any immediate risks to the public and employees at the port. Following the removal, the terminal was reopened, allowing normal operations to resume, bringing the incident to a safe conclusion. This event highlights the importance of vigilance and quick action in addressing historical ordinances that may pose risks in modern environments.