Bomb Squad Deployed to French Hospital Over Unusual Patient Discovery
Hospital staff in Toulouse, France, faced an extraordinary situation over the weekend when they discovered a patient had arrived with a decommissioned First World War artillery shell lodged in his rectum. The unusual medical case quickly escalated into a security incident, prompting officials to call in bomb disposal experts and evacuate parts of the facility.
Emergency Response to Unprecedented Medical Situation
According to reports from local media, the 24-year-old patient arrived at Rangueil Hospital on Saturday night complaining of severe pain in his lower abdomen. Medical personnel conducted an examination and made the startling discovery of a metallic object measuring approximately 20 centimeters in length.
The hospital staff immediately recognized the potential danger and contacted specialized bomb disposal teams to assess the situation. Emergency services established a security perimeter around the affected area and evacuated other patients as a precautionary measure.
Historical Artifact Creates Modern Medical Crisis
The object in question was identified as a collectible artillery shell dating from the end of the First World War. Although reportedly decommissioned, medical professionals remained concerned about potential explosive risks, leading to their decision to involve explosive specialists.
Local newspaper la Depeche du Midi reported that the patient admitted to hospital staff that he had inserted the object himself. This revelation added another layer of complexity to an already unusual medical emergency that combined historical artifacts with contemporary healthcare challenges.
Coordinated Emergency Response Ensures Safety
Emergency services in Haute-Garonne confirmed that firefighters were dispatched alongside bomb disposal experts to provide fire protection during the intervention. Authorities later reported that "an explosive device has been neutralized," though they provided no additional details about the specific procedures used.
The coordinated response involved:
- Immediate medical assessment of the patient
- Establishment of security perimeters around the affected area
- Evacuation of nearby patients and staff
- Specialized bomb disposal team intervention
- Fire department support for additional safety measures
Patient Remains Under Medical Observation
Following the successful extraction of the artillery shell, the patient remained under observation at the hospital. Medical experts in the operating room performed the delicate procedure to remove the object, which had caused significant discomfort and potential health complications.
Both the local hospital service and fire department spokespeople told Agence France-Presse they had no additional information to provide about the ongoing case. The patient's identity was not disclosed, maintaining medical confidentiality while the unusual incident gained international attention.
This extraordinary case highlights the unexpected challenges healthcare professionals can face and demonstrates the importance of coordinated emergency response systems when unusual situations arise in medical settings.
