Mortar found, safely detonated in Rich Hill

A military-grade mortar has been safely detonated after it was found by a Rich Hill city employee Tuesday.

Read the full press release below from the Bates County Sheriff’s Office:

At around 9:00hrs, deputies were called to assist Rich Hill Police Department on a report of a military grade mortar found in a city owned building. Apparently an employee was looking for some tools in the building when the item was discovered.

Upon arrival of deputies, contact was made with Lee’s Summit Bomb Squad who referred the call to Kansas City Bomb Squad. Deputies sent photos of the mortar to the Kansas City Bomb Squad who referred the call to EOD Specialists out of Ft. Riley, Kansas.

The area has been deemed safe and emergency crews are clearing the area.