WW2 sea mine discovered below the high water at Elmer Beach near Bognor

A live German sea mine from World War Two washed up on the Sussex coast has been towed out to sea and blown up. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the mine was “safely detonated” at about 5.10pm on Sunday Earlier, residents were alerted as a precaution and vessels were told to steer clear of the mine off Elmer Beach, near Bognor Regis. A mile-wide maritime and air exclusion zone was in force, with coastguards broadcasting to vessels in the area. Operations have been taking place through the night Sussex Police said bomb disposal teams were called in after the device was found in the water by someone living nearby. Explosives teams inspected the device and work took place to make it safe while the tides allowed access, officers said. Coastguards said the device could be detonated at sea No homes had to be evacuated. Ch Supt Jane Derrick said the force had followed advice from military ordnance teams about safe areas. Other members of the public were earlier asked to avoid the Elmer Beach area, whether for using the beach, swimming or sailing. [su_youtube url=”https:///youtu.be/O1NrK5vum8w” width=”680″ autoplay=”yes”]