On October 23, 2010 at 6:30pm, St. Pierre RCMP Detachment were contacted by two teens who stated they located what appeared to be rockets on the edge of the Rat River in the RM of Ritchot.
Police attended the location and examined the 2 items located, which were believed to be mortar rounds used by the Canadian Forces. The scene was cordoned off and with the assistance of the RCMP’s Explosive Disposal Unit and the Canadian Forces 17 Wing E.D.F. (Explosive Disposal Flight) team, the mortars were removed from the scene and taken to Winnipeg where they will be disposed of properly.
Police at this time cannot say how these items ended up at this location and are unable to determine if the mortars were inert or considered live. The Canadian Forces do not examine the mortars for safety reasons and treat all ordnance as if it were live and will detonate the items in a safe location at a later date.
The location of this discovery will not be released to the public as the police will be examining the surrounding area to ascertain if other items were discarded which could pose a risk to the public.
Cpl. Paul Manaigre
St. Pierre Jolys RCMP Detachment
(204) 433-7908
