Melbourne park evacuated after dynamite find

Children and dog walkers were cleared from a popular park in Melbourne’s northern suburbs after police were called to deal with a stash of dynamite found in a nearby property on Sunday afternoon. Footage obtained by The Age shows the explosives being detonated near trees at Merri Park, behind Northcote Highschool, as part of a controlled operation just before 1pm. A bomb response robot can be seen near the site, as the explosion sends hay and dirt flying.

SES volunteers had been called earlier in the day to provide assistance with sand bags. The explosives were allegedly located in the shed of a deceased estate in Northcote, where they had been in storage for several decades. Victoria Police confirmed they were in attendance at an address on St Georges Road, but did not provide additional details of the incident.

“There is no threat to the community nor criminality,” a spokesperson said. “More information will be available when operationally appropriate.” You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more. More: