Melting glaciers reveal hundreds of World War I bombs in Italy
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 16:49 · Archive
Melting glaciers in the Italian Dolomites have exposed over 200 unexploded World War I munitions buried for more than a century.
Melting glaciers in the Italian Dolomites are uncovering munitions from the First World War's 'White War', fought between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces from 1915 to 1918. More than 200 of the weapons have been found, including artillery shells, hand grenades and mortar bombs. The New York Post reports that roughly 250 such items were discovered, with the first, a 90-millimetre mortar, unearthed in June near Caldonazzo after a car rolled down a ravine.
The Italian army's Julia Alpine Brigade launched a campaign to clear the munitions from August to mid-October, before winter snow returned. The operation required navigating steep slopes and high-altitude terrain, according to army officials. The finds were made in the Canal San Bovo area of the Primiero Valley and other locations across the region, many reported by hikers and mountain workers.
The Italian army stated that 'as the ice retreats, history resurfaces—and with it, dangers from the past'. Officials added that clearing these areas makes mountain trails 'safer' for the thousands of tourists, mountaineers and hikers who visit annually. The accelerated glacier melt is linked to climate change; unusually low snowfall in 2025 and summer heat waves have sped up the retreat, exposing more dangerous remnants from over a century ago.
How it is being reported
- Hundreds of World War I-era munitions discovered in the Italian DolomitesMelting glaciers in Italy's Dolomites expose 250 World War I artillery shells, mortar bombs and unexploded munitions buried under ice for more than 100 years.New York Post · 31 Oct, 16:27
- Melting glaciers expose hundreds of unexploded World War I bombsMelting glaciers in the Italian mountains are revealing hundreds of unexploded bombs from the First World War.Metro · 30 Oct, 13:59
In this story: Italian Dolomites · Italy · Trentino-Alto Adige · Julia Alpine Brigade · Austro-Hungarian forces
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