Another Phosphorus Device Found Near Brighton
An M25 phosphorus marine marker has been destroyed in situ during a controlled explosion after being found near Beachy Head, Brighton. It comes less than ten days after a similarly hazardous device was washed up on nearby Rottingdean Beach.
These modern naval flares are often used for search and rescue missions at sea and their phosphorus content makes them potentially very dangerous when exposed to air. The Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team therefore took no chances – having been informed of the device by the Coastguard – making use of the convenient location to carry out a controlled explosion.
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency has strict protocols on the disposal of out-of-date pyrotechnics, which does not include chucking them overboard. Any such device should be brought into harbour before it can be disposed of safely.
