World War II explosives found under proposed runway in southern Poland

Dozens of World War II German artillery shells have been found at the site where a new runway is to be built at the Katowice airport in southern Poland, an airport spokesman has said.

Katowice airport spokesman Cezary Orzech told The Associated Press on Monday that “large quantities” of shells have been found since the work began last week. The shells have been removed to a test range and detonated.

The area housed German artillery during the war and Soviet Red Army afterwards.

Mr. Orzech said the airport needs a new 3.2 km (1.9 mile) runway to handle large cargo planes. It should open in the second half of next year.