A 24-year-old man caused a major alert at the Rangueil University Hospital in Toulouse after presenting to the emergency room with severe lower abdominal pain. During the examination, medical staff discovered he was carrying a highly unusual foreign object: a shell, likely dating from the First World War, measuring nearly 20 centimeters long and approximately 4 centimeters in diameter.
An exceptional intervention mobilizing the authorities
Faced with the potential danger posed by the munition, the medical teams immediately activated a strict safety protocol. Bomb disposal experts, firefighters, and law enforcement were dispatched to the scene, and a security perimeter was established around the hospital. Experts assessed and neutralized the device before any handling, ensuring the safety of both the patient and staff. The surgical removal was then performed without incident, and the patient remained under observation for further care.
The circumstances of the incident remain unclear. Authorities are trying to determine where the shell was found, how it was brought in, and for what purpose. The young man will have to appear before the prosecutor's office once his condition has stabilized.
A rare incident, but not unique
Although highly unusual, this type of event is not entirely unprecedented in France. Similar cases have been reported in the past, highlighting the risks associated with handling old munitions and the need for vigilance in their medical management.
