Geneva plans to investigate munitions dumped in lake
The Geneva authorities plan to launch a study into the munitions that were dumped in the lake. Between 1950-1970, some 150-1,000 tonnes of army munitions are thought to have been submerged not far from the city centre by a private firm Hispano-Suizo.
This content was published on
3 minutes
Keystone-SDA/sb
The cantonal authorities plan to follow recommendations made by the Federal Council to investigate the dumped munitions, a spokesperson from the Geneva Territory Department told the Keystone-ATS News Agency on Friday, confirming an earlier Tribune de Genève news story.
In Friday’s edition, Antonio Hodgers, the head of the department and current Geneva president, declared “the canton plans the launch a study. We are in touch with the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport”.
Between 1950 and 1970, some 150-1,000 tonnes of army munitions are thought to have been dumped in the lake not far from Geneva’s city centre by the private firm Hispano-Suizo.
Last month the Federal Council statedExternal link that an in-depth study would be needed to get a better overall picture of the munitions in Lake Geneva. It added that as a private firm had been involved, the canton was responsible for the survey but that, on request, defence ministry specialists could assist with any investigations.
More
More
Unexploded munitions continue to reverberate in Switzerland
This content was published on
Old Second World War bombs, grenades and other explosives are still causing headaches for the Swiss authorities.
The story of the munitions dates back to the end of the Second World War when Switzerland found itself with a huge stock of unused weapons and ammunitions on its hands. The idea of disposing of the piles of old dangerous ordinance by submerging it in Swiss lakes quickly gathered pace.
Between 1948 and 1967, the army dumped an estimated 8,120 tonnes of munitionsExternal link in lakes Thun, Lucerne, Brienz and Walen. Private firms also got rid of munitions in Lake Zurich, the Rotsee near Lucerne and Lake Geneva.
But munitions thrown into Lake Geneva years ago have sparked recent concern. The cantonal authorities and the defence ministry investigated the case between 2002-2004 and revealed the type of munitions dumped but not their exact locations. They concluded that the situation was under control, as the munitions lie buried under sediment, and that so far drinking water quality has not been affected.
But last November a team of French diversExternal link discovered four damaged, open crates at a depth of 50 metres, about 150m from a pipeline and a drinking water sensor. In January, a group of anxious Geneva politicians filed a motionExternal link – an earlier attempt by Social Democrat Salima Moyard had failed in 2017 – calling for a full investigation into the munitions, the environmental risks, and an eventual clean-up operation.
Moyard told Tribune de Genève on Friday that she was happy the situation was moving: “I appreciate the awareness, even if it took a long time. The authorities always said everything was under control and that the munitions were under a layer of sediment. We have seen that it’s not the case.”
Various heads of state confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
No clearance of former munitions stockpile in sight
This content was published on
In July 2018, residents of the mountain village were shocked to find out that an ammunition storage site that had exploded 70 years earlier, could still present a danger to the public. The people who live here feel that action isn’t being taken quickly enough, and they’re worried about the future. (SRF/swissinfo.ch)
This content was published on
The government environment agency has confirmed that a former ammunition stockpile at Mitholz is an unacceptable risk for the local population.
This content was published on
The ministry’s latest environmental impact survey drew the same conclusions as predecessors in 2008 and 2012 – namely that the munitions were not leaking and the water contained toxins of such minute levels that the water is safe to drink. In 2012, it concluded that it is better to leave the munitions where they are…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.