Key Facts at a Glance
- Location: Playground in the Jena urban area
- Time: Sunday morning, February 15, 2026
- Incident: Children dug up a hand grenade while playing
- Operation: Police and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service on site
- All-clear: It was a practice grenade
Jena. It is every parent’s nightmare: while the children are playing peacefully in the sandbox, a dangerous object suddenly appears instead of molds and shovels. This exact scenario took place last Sunday morning (February 15) on a playground in Jena and caused considerable excitement in the city area.
Dangerous Find in the Sandbox
The idyll was deceptive this weekend. Several children were digging in the sand when they struck a hard, metallic object. It quickly became clear that this was not buried trash or a forgotten toy. The object had the unmistakable shape of a hand grenade.
A father present reacted in an exemplary and quick-witted manner. He recognized the potential danger immediately, secured the area, and promptly alerted the police. Such level-headed action is crucial for the safety of everyone present in moments where panic could break out.
Special Forces Give the All-Clear
The Jena police arrived quickly and cordoned off the site extensively to rule out any danger to residents and passers-by. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (KMRD) from Thüringen was requested for a precise assessment of the explosive find. After a thorough investigation, the experts for explosives and ammunition recovery were finally able to give the all-clear.
The find was a so-called practice hand grenade. These dummies often look deceptively similar to live weapons but usually contain no explosives. Nevertheless, they pose an abstract danger, as laypeople can hardly tell the difference and panic reactions cannot be ruled out. The specialists safely transported the practice weapon away.
How Should I Behave if Ammunition is Found?
Even though it was “only” a practice weapon in this case, the incident shows how important caution is. Old ammunition from the World Wars or such practice objects can appear again and again in Thüringen – whether during construction work or on public spaces. Experts urgently advise the following behavior:
- Do not touch: Do not move the object under any circumstances. Even small vibrations can trigger fuzes in real ammunition.
- Keep your distance: Move away and warn other people nearby.
- Call the police: Dial the emergency number 110 immediately and describe the location of the find as accurately as possible.
Police Investigating the Origin
After the grenade was removed, peace returned to the playground. However, the case is not yet closed for the police. Investigations have been launched to clarify how the practice grenade ended up in the sandbox. Whether it was disposed of there or whether someone lost it is currently still unclear. The authorities are now checking whether a criminal offense or an administrative offense has occurred.
For the families involved, the shock remains, but in the end, relief prevails that the playing children were in no physical danger.
Sources:
Original
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.