North Macedonia’s civil protection authorities have removed six unexploded artillery shells dating back to World War One that were discovered during construction work on a gas pipeline near the southern town of Gevgelija.
The unexploded ordnance was found on Feb. 4 during excavation works along the pipeline route, prompting workers to alert the Directorate for Protection and Rescue (DPR), the agency said in a statement.
A certified explosives disposal expert identified the devices as six 75-millimetre artillery shells originating from World War One, authorities said. The area around the discovery was secured, and the shells were carefully removed to prevent detonation.
The munitions are believed to be remnants of fighting along the Salonika Front, where intense trench warfare took place between Allied and Central Powers forces during the war. Large quantities of ammunition were fired in the region, and some shells failed to explode due to technical defects or soil conditions, officials said.
The shells were transported under special security measures to the Krivolak military training range, where they will be destroyed in a controlled operation in line with international safety standards, the Directorate said.
Authorities warned that southern parts of North Macedonia remain vulnerable to unexploded ordnance, particularly during large-scale infrastructure projects involving deep excavation. They said the incident highlighted the need for strict safety protocols and preliminary surveys before construction begins.
No injuries were reported.
North Macedonia has seen a rise in discoveries of unexploded wartime munitions in recent years as construction activity intensifies.