On 22 July, at approximately 7:40 p.m., the incident occurred. The duty officer at the Municipal Police Headquarters in Jelenia Góra received a report about an object resembling unexploded ordnance that was located in a bin near the shopping centre.
Police officers and firefighters were immediately sent to the scene. Due to the real threat to people in the area, a decision was made to evacuate the shopping centre and nearby buildings. The area was secured until the services had completed their operations.
Police bomb-disposal specialists from the Independent Counter-Terrorist Police Subunit in Wrocław were also sent to the scene. During a search of the area, they found two dangerous objects – one was in the bin and the other in nearby bushes. At approximately 12:30 a.m., both were secured and transported for safe neutralisation.
At the same time, criminal investigators conducted intensive operational activities. Analysis of surveillance footage and the evidence collected quickly enabled them to identify two men suspected of leaving the dangerous objects. According to the police, both had previously been known to officers.
One of the suspects – a 34-year-old resident of Jelenia Góra – was detained later that same day. The man was taken to police detention facilities and is awaiting further procedural activities. Police officers are continuing efforts to detain the second identified man.
Investigators stress that the case is ongoing. Initial findings indicate that the secured objects may be anti-personnel mines. Specialist examinations are currently being conducted to confirm their nature and determine whether they were live or training mines.
If the findings to date are confirmed, the suspect could face up to 10 years in prison for creating a threat to the life or health of many people. The final legal classification will depend on the results of the proceedings.
Police remind the public that unexploded ordnance and misfires can still pose a deadly threat, despite the many years that have passed since the end of World War II. If an object resembling ammunition, a grenade, mine or shell is found, it must not be touched or moved. Move away to a safe distance, prevent unauthorised people from accessing it and notify the emergency services as quickly as possible by calling 112.
Officers stress that any attempt to move or deliberately leave unexploded ordnance in public places may lead to tragedy and entails criminal liability. The investigation into the case is still ongoing.