Ballymanus mine disaster facts for kids
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The Ballymanus mine disaster was a very sad event that happened on May 10, 1943. It took place on a beach in Ballymanus, County Donegal, Ireland. A group of local people tried to bring a large, unexploded bomb from the sea onto the shore. Sadly, the bomb exploded, killing many men and boys.
What Happened at Ballymanus?
On that day, a large bomb, called a sea mine, was seen floating near the beach. These mines were used in the sea during World War II to protect areas or stop ships. This particular mine had not exploded yet, making it very dangerous.
Some young people and men from the village saw the mine. They thought they could pull it to shore. They waded into the water and tied ropes around it. More people joined them to help pull the heavy mine along the sand.
The Tragic Explosion
As they were pulling the mine, it is believed to have hit a rock. This caused the mine to explode suddenly. The blast was huge. It instantly killed eighteen men and boys. Their ages ranged from just 13 years old to 34 years old. Another person died the next day because of their injuries.
The explosion was so powerful that it damaged over 40 houses in the nearby village. It was a terrible shock for the whole community.
Why Was It So Dangerous?
During World War II, Ireland officially stayed neutral. This meant Ireland did not take sides in the war. Because of this, people in Ireland might not have known as much about the dangers of unexploded bombs as people in countries directly involved in the fighting.
Other sea mines were found and made safe in Donegal that same year. Local police officers, called Garda Síochána, knew about the mine at Ballymanus hours before it exploded. They were supposed to set up a safe area around it. While some warnings were given to the community, the full safety steps were not taken. This meant people did not fully understand the extreme danger.
