Switzerland Seeks Innovative Solutions to Remove Ammunition from Lakes

Swiss government offers substantial cash prize for safe and environmentally friendly methods to extract submerged munitions.

Thousands of tons of munitions were dumped in Swiss lakes between 1918 and 1964.
The Swiss Ministry of Defence is offering a 50,000 Swiss franc prize for the best recovery ideas.
Submissions are open until February 2025, with winners announced in April 2025.
The challenge includes risks of explosion and environmental contamination.
Past recovery attempts failed due to potential ecosystem damage from disturbed sediments.