The outbreak of World War I in the early 20th century turned Europe into a vast battlefield. Over time, the war became a chapter in history, preserved in books and museums, showcasing artifacts such as weapons and uniforms used by soldiers. However, in a bizarre and unexpected incident, a relic from this historic conflict—a World War I hand grenade—was mistakenly sent from France to a potato chip factory in Hong Kong, crossing thousands of miles unnoticed.

In 2019, the Hong Kong police reported that a World War I-era grenade, originally belonging to the German army, had been discovered among a shipment of fresh potatoes imported from France. It is believed that the grenade had been buried in a French field that had once served as a battleground during the war. The grenade had likely been accidentally harvested along with the potatoes and shipped without anyone realizing it.

The old grenade traveled a significant distance, crossing international borders without being detected until it reached the factory in Hong Kong. It wasn’t until the grenade passed through a potato processing machine that workers noticed it and immediately alerted the authorities. The police, along with bomb disposal experts and firefighters, responded swiftly. They successfully neutralized the grenade by safely detonating it in a controlled environment, using a high-pressure water technique to ensure there was no risk of injury. The Hong Kong police shared footage of the detonation on their official Twitter page, confirming that no one had been harmed.

Remarkably, this was the second grenade discovered in Hong Kong in the span of just one week.