Italian Army Clears 200 World War I Bombs From Melted Dolomites Glaciers

More than 200 unexploded munitions have emerged from melting glaciers in the Dolomites, forcing the Italian army to deploy troops for a high-altitude clearance operation. The items include artillery shells and hand grenades left behind by Italian and Austrian forces during the First World War.

Army officials reported the discovery in September, noting that the finds followed a larger batch of ordnance uncovered during the summer melt. The military described the operation as technically demanding due to steep slopes and the fragile nature of the retreating ice.

Hikers in the Primiero Valley, specifically around Canal San Bovo in eastern Trentino, reported several sightings of the explosives during the summer months. These reports triggered searches across multiple high-altitude zones in Trentino-Alto Adige, where glacial retreat has accelerated the exposure of wartime debris.

Recent clearing efforts have targeted specific areas in the Adamello-Brenta region of Trento, including Carè Alto and Vedretta di Lares. Operations also extended to Val Martello and the Stelvio area in Bolzano. Additional munitions were located at Cima Tre Cannoni and along the edges of the Livrio glacier.

The conflict known as the White War raged between Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops from 1915 to 1918 in the region's freezing, rugged terrain. Soldiers dug defensive positions into snow-covered peaks and steep slopes, leaving behind equipment that has remained hidden beneath the ice for over a century.

Italian Army officials stated that the work aims to eliminate hidden dangers for mountaineers, hikers, and tourists who use the trails every year. They warned that the risks are not always immediately visible and tend to increase with altitude.

The military indicated that further discoveries are expected as climate change continues to melt the Dolomites glaciers, revealing more of the White War's physical legacy in the eastern Alps.