A massive world war mine has washed up on a beach in North Antrim.

#Brits used Irish Sea for military dump after WW2 it still washes up today #ballycastle #bomb pic.twitter.com/QAdRiHODqT — tagcastle (@tagcastle) September 15, 2017

The mine was found washed up at Whitepark Bay, Ballycastle on Friday.

Mine found at Ballycastle beach on Friday afternoon pic.twitter.com/4kt9q0hpzK — Kevin McAuley (@KMcAuleyPhoto) September 15, 2017

A bomb disposal unit was quick to the scene and the bomb was safely destroyed.

More than 550,000 sea mines were laid during World War II and they could be set off by contact, or by sensing the magnetic change caused by a passing ship or submarine.

Wartime mine destroyed at Whitepark Bay by ATO on Friday evening pic.twitter.com/TOF10YLj5U — Kevin McAuley (@KMcAuleyPhoto) September 15, 2017

Over 70 years after the conflict ended, World War explosives are still commonly discovered on beaches in Ireland, Britain and France.

If you come across one steer well clear and contact the authorities – these mines are still active and highly dangerous!

(Cover photo credit @tagcastle)

