The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is reminding Honiara residents and communities to take extra precautionary measures when burning rubbish.
The reminder came about after a bomb explosion at the Town Ground area on 30 October 2025, which resulted in a casualty.
Supervising Assistant Commissioner (AC) of National Operation, Mr. Lionel Kapisa, said the investigation revealed that the explosion was caused by a fire that ignited an unexploded ordnance (UXO).
AC Kapisa said, “The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department (EODD) patrol team attended the scene and visited the National Referral Hospital (NRH) to check on the casualty’s condition and confirmed that the victim was undergoing an X-ray examination, which revealed multiple fragments from the exploded device lodged in various parts of his body.”
Mr. Kapisa said the casualty sustained serious injuries to his left arm and parts of the body, as well as the head and leg.
The left-hand fingers were also severely damaged. The victim is currently receiving medical treatment at the NRH with serious injuries, particularly under the left armpit area.
The EODD team returned to the scene at Town Ground on 31 October 2025 to conduct further inquiries and a UXO clearance operation, where the team found five (5) small arms munitions (cartridges) and several bomb fragments from the explosion site.
The RSIPF strongly reminds the public of the dangers associated with unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Members of the public are urged not to burn rubbish near residential areas or during gardening activities, as heat and fire can trigger explosions if UXOs are present.
If any suspicious items or UXOs are found, do not touch, move, or play with them. Such items can cause serious injury or death.
Please contact the RSIPF EODD team immediately on the following mobile numbers: 7495215 or 7495214. The RSIPF EODD continues to work hard to ensure the safety of all communities and appreciates the public’s cooperation in reporting UXO discoveries.
– RSIPF
