“Pađene” Ammo Depot Recovery Update
The explosion occured at the Ammunition Depot at Pađene in September 2011 prompted the Plan of recovery and cleaning of the Depot area of residual explosive ordnance and waste.
The recovery plan has been implemented in three phases, the first phase being completed during 2012, resulting in 3.5 km radius of the area cleaned, and the second phase being under way.
The second phase of the recovery of the terrain from the unexploded ordnance in the technical segment of the Ammunition Depot at Pađene was carried out by the Task Force manned by mine clearing engineers of the Croatian Support Command and of the Air Force and Air Defence.
The recovery plan in the second phase consisted in cleaning and inspection of a total of 156.200 m2 of the terrain, to include inspection, recovery and cleaning of the Depot facilities.
By 21 June 2013 a total of 116.617 m2 has been inspected, recovered and cleaned to a detail, with four facilities cleaned completely and two facilities partially.
The remaining portion of the terrain to be inspected, recovered and cleaned comprises 42 583 m2 , it should be noted that the visible unexploded ordnance has been removed from some 80% of the area still to be inspected. The terrain has been inspected in depth, and the removal of explosive ordnance and metal waste covered under construction material and soil, as well as the remaining four facilities, is under way as planned. The recovery and removal of the remaining quantities of visible explosive ordnance from the surface and the related works are to be continued until November 2013, depending on weather conditions.
The recovery and cleaning of the terrain of the Pađene Ammunition Depot on 10 July 2013 was conducted by 12 members of the Croatian Armed Forces qualified as certified mine clearing engineers, supported by a medical team (a physician, a paramedic and a driver). The recovery works have been managed by two experienced mine clearing engineer officers.