Workers find World War II-era mine; explosion rocks Brazilian beach resort

World War II-era mine causes big blast in Brazil

SAO PAULO — Workers repairing the streets of Brazilian coastal town came across an old sea mine with more punch than anyone expected.

A bulldozer driver carted away the big round mine that is believed to date from World War II. It was then taken to a beach that seemed to be a safe distance from the town of Maragogi and officials blew it up.

Police Commander Osman Vilela de Araujo says the resulting blast shattered windows and knocked off roof tiles six kilometers (four miles) away in the city of 25,000 people. A cloud of smoke rose into the sky.

No one was reported hurt in Tuesday’s blast.

Maragogi is on Brazil’s northeast coast and is famed for its coral reefs.