Worker hurt in vintage bomb explosion at PGH

A World War II mortar exploded yesterday, injuring a construction worker who accidentally ignited while digging and welding at the compound of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila yesterday.

Inspector Rudy Supsupin, chief of the Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) of the Manila police, said the victim, a certain "Jimmy Boy" was taken to the emergency room of the PGH for treatment after sustaining minor burns on the right side of his face.

He was working at the PGH compound, which used to be a garrison during World War II, when he discovered the head of an unexploded 81mm mortar.

Thinking it was just a piece of ordinary metal, the worker used his acetylene torch on the mortar, causing it to explode.

He was among several people working in the area, where water tanks are being put up.

"The vintage bomb was buried several inches below the ground, he did not realize the bomb was near a steel post that he was welding. He thought it was also steel," Supsupin said.

Unexploded ordnance, mostly dating back to World War II, have in the past been found in several areas of Manila. – With AP