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Mine Sinks Fishing Boat; 5 Aboard Saved

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From Reuters

A World War II mine caught in the nets of a Scottish fishing boat exploded Friday, sinking the vessel, but five men on board escaped without injuries, a Royal Navy spokesman said.

The three-man crew of the Ha’burn netted the mine off the Isle of Arran on the West coast of Scotland and a naval bomb disposal team was called in.

Two naval divers fixed an explosive charge to the mine, which was towed to a safe distance from land for a controlled explosion. But as the fishing boat sailed away with the five men on board the charge blew up prematurely.

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The spokesman said shrapnel apparently hit the boat’s hull and it later sank. The men were rescued by a lifeboat.

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