Military rocket launcher found in Victoria prompts response from bomb disposal unit
Military bomb disposal technicians were dispatched to Victoria this week after the organizers of a residential estate sale uncovered a Canadian Army rocket launcher inside the home.
The surprising discovery was made during an estate liquidation sale in the Hillside neighbourhood on Wednesday.
The 66-millimetre rocket launcher was identified as an M72 high-explosive anti-tank weapon that contained no explosive warhead.
The launcher was surrendered to Victoria police, who in turn called the military.
A team of bomb disposal technicians from Fleet Diving Unit Pacific, based at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, responded to Victoria police headquarters around 2 p.m.
"The item in question was examined by the team, and was identified as an empty Canadian Army M72 HE 66mm rocket launcher, constituting no explosive hazard to the public," said Maritime Forces Pacific spokesperson Capt. Chelsea Dubeau.
"However, as the Canadian Armed Forces is responsible for disposing of all military ordnance, including any associated materials, the team removed the item from the scene to be disposed of at a later date," Dubeau added.
The rocket launcher was surrendered to Victoria police, who in turn called the military. (Submitted)
According to the Canadian Army, the M72 rocket launcher is a short-range, single-shot weapon that can defend against light-armoured vehicles and structures.
The 66-millimetre warhead can penetrate up to 35 centimetres of armour, and has been in service with the army since the late 1960s.
Anyone who discovers a piece of suspected military ordnance is urged not to touch it, and to call local police immediately.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.