Bomb neutralized in Lithuania

VILNIUS - The Lithuanian Armed Forces' mine-clearing units neutralized a 250-kilogram German-made aviation bomb containing 80 kilograms of explosive material close to the small town of Birzai, northern Lithuania, on Sunday afternoon.

The explosive was deactivated on the spot because mine-clearing specialists said the German bomb SD 250, had various "catches," which made it impossible to safely transport the bomb after removing the detonator.

The population was evacuated from the location, while older people were warned to stay inside. A protective rampart was constructed in fears of detonation of the explosive device during the deactivation, which would have caused fragments to spread in radius of one kilometer.

The military deactivators cut into the bomb shell and set the explosive material inside on fire. The explosive device burned and left the metal shell, which was safe for removal from the site.

The explosive device near the town of Birzai was reported by a farmer on Saturday evening. The bomb was found close to a gas pipeline and an electricity line.