Alert over flares found at beach

Alert over flares found at beach

12 April 2017

THE Coastguard has issued a warning after the discovery of more unstable flares on Kilclief beach.

For the second weekend in succession an army bomb disposal team had to carry out a controlled explosion on out of date flares that had been dumped on a beach. 

Just after 2pm on Saturday a walker discovered four flares on the beach and alerted the Coastguard, who despatched a team from Newcastle to the area. 

The flares, which were well past their expiry date and in a very poor condition, were judged to be too unstable to be removed from the beach. 

The area was sealed off until the army team arrived and blew up the flares in a controlled explosion.

The previous Saturday three out of date, unstable flares were found by a young boy taking part in a beach clean on Minerstown beach. These were also blown up by the army. 

A Coastguard spokesman has urged walkers to be vigilant on local beaches and if they see flares, or anything else suspicious, not to touch them but dial 999 and alert the Coastguard. 

“Out of date flares are increasingly being found on local beaches,” he said. 

“They are either being dumped at sea by fishermen or boat owners or thrown onto beaches from the land. 

“It is illegal to dump flares in this way, not to mention highly dangerous, but it seems some people are prepared to put the public at risk rather than dispose of flares correctly. 

“Out of date flares should be taken to Coastguard headquarters at Bangor marina where they will be disposed off properly. This is a free service.”

The spokesman urged walkers and parents of young children to be aware that such dangerous items may be on local beaches. 

“Anyone who finds flares, or something they are suspicious about, should take no chances and contact the Coastguard by dialling 999,” he said.