Shell in Rectum: Turbulent Hunt for WWI Munitions in France
A 24-year-old Frenchman arrived at Rangueil Accident and Emergency in Toulouse, France, on a Saturday night reporting severe rectal pain. During surgery, doctors discovered an eight-inch (approximately 20 cm) World War I artillery shell lodged in his rectum. The shell is a 37mm brass-and-copper projectile dating to the end of the First World War, used by the Imperial German Army. The shell did not explode.
Immediate response and safety measures
- Bomb disposal experts were called to assess the device; firefighters and the fire brigade were placed on standby.
- The hospital was evacuated, a security perimeter established, and the object was removed during surgery without further risk to the patient or others.
- The shell has since been defused and deemed no longer dangerous to the patient or the public.
Patient status and legal considerations
- The patient is under observation at the hospital and is reported to be recovering, albeit in pain.
- Authorities indicated that the patient may face legal action related to handling category A munitions. Prosecutors were considering charges and the police were planning interviews.
- The patient remains unnamed in official summaries; police interviews were anticipated in the following week to determine any further action.
Context and prior incidents
- The incident is part of a broader pattern of World War I ordnance remaining in Western Europe, with ongoing efforts to remove unexploded munitions, including an annual operation known as the “iron harvest.”
- Similar cases have occurred in France and Belgium, including a 2022 incident in Toulon involving an eight-inch long and more than two inches wide WWI munition removed from a rectum, which required abdominal surgery.
- The object’s origin remains unknown, and local officials have noted the long historical presence of shells fired during World War I and the continued safety and medical concerns associated with such ordnance.
Notes
- Reports identify the patient as a 24-year-old French national; some summaries refer to the patient as unnamed.
- Reporters listed include Claire Barrett and J. D. Simkins.
Original Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (toulouse) (munitions) (evacuation) (hospital) (doctors) (toulon) (rectum) (firefighters) (reporters) (authorities) (france) (police) (safety) (outrage) (accountability) (defense) (veterans) (men) (sensationalism) (mgtow)
Real Value Analysis
The article describes a risky medical incident where a man in France inserted a World War I era shell into his rectum, required surgery, and the shell was unexploded at removal. It notes hospital evacuation, potential legal action, past related incidents, and that authorities later said the shell was defused. It also mentions broader context about ordnance in Western Europe and the “iron harvest.”
Actionable information
- The article does not provide practical steps or actions a reader can take. It describes a sensational medical event but does not offer clear guidance for readers on how to handle similar situations, what to do if they encounter ordnance, or where to seek help. For someone worried about unexploded munitions, there are no concrete, usable steps in the piece.
Educational depth
- The piece raises general ideas (rare nature of shell injuries, historical ordnance still present, evacuation procedures, and EOD involvement) but it does not explain mechanisms, risks, or decision-making processes in a way that would deepen understanding. It mentions that the shell was defused but does not explain how such determinations are made, what safety protocols exist, or what causes some munitions to be unstable.
Personal relevance
- For the average reader, the direct relevance is minimal. It concerns a highly unusual medical case and public safety actions specific to a location and incident. It does not translate into practical health, safety, or financial decisions for most people.
Public service function
- The article offers limited public guidance. It hints at safety concerns around unexploded ordnance and mentions EOD involvement and hospital evacuation, but it stops short of giving readers concrete precautions or steps to reduce risk, such as what to do if they encounter suspicious munitions or how to respond to unsafe sexual practices. It does not provide actionable safety information for the general public.
Practical advice
- There is no actionable guidance. The piece lacks steps, checklists, or realistic tips readers could follow to reduce risk or improve safety in similar or related scenarios.
Long-term impact
- The article does not help readers plan for the future, adopt safer habits, or learn how to prevent similar incidents. It is a news report of a rare event with brief context, offering little in the way of lasting benefit.
Emotional and psychological impact
- The sensational nature may provoke shock or concern about safety with munitions, but the article does not offer reassurance, resources, or constructive guidance to manage anxiety or improve safety awareness beyond broad statements.
Clickbait or ad-driven language
- The piece relies on a notable, sensational image (an unusual object in the body) to attract attention. It somewhat sensationalizes a medical anomaly without providing meaningful safety guidance.
Missed chances to teach or guide
- The article could have educated readers about what to do if they encounter suspected unexploded ordnance, how to recognize potentially hazardous munitions, or steps to take if a loved one engages in dangerous behavior. It does not offer such guidance.
Real value added now
- To provide real value beyond the article, here are practical, general guidelines that apply to similar real-life concerns:
- If you ever encounter an object that could be dangerous or suspicious in any context, avoid handling it. Do not move or tamper with it. Keep a safe distance and call local emergency services or the appropriate bomb disposal unit.
- If you live in or travel to areas known to have historical ordnance, treat any unfamiliar munitions with extreme caution. Do not touch, dig around, or attempt to unearth objects. Mark the location if safe to do so from a distance and report it to authorities.
- For medical concerns about unusual injuries or objects, seek immediate care at a hospital or urgent care. If you are in a situation where a hospital evacuation or specialized safety procedures might be needed, follow public safety authorities’ instructions.
- If you are curious about historical hazards in your region, look for reputable sources on mine clearance or ordnance safety, such as official defense or public safety agency guides. While the article doesn’t provide steps, you can independently find general safety practices from credible agencies and incorporate them into personal awareness.
In sum, the article offers a sensational recount of an unusual medical case without providing usable steps, practical safety guidance, or deeper educational context for readers. It lacks concrete public-service value, though it touches on a real-world issue of unexploded ordnance in Europe. If you want to be better prepared, seek general safety practices about handling suspicious objects, and rely on official guidance from local emergency services or authorities for actionable instructions.
Bias analysis
Block 1
"An eight-inch long World War I era shell into his rectum."
This wording uses a dramatic image to provoke shock. It focuses on a sexual act with a dangerous object. It creates a sense of sensationalism. There is no explanation beyond the incident. It pushes reader feeling rather than neutral reporting.
Block 2
"The shell was still unexploded at the time of removal, and an explosive ordnance disposal team was called."
The sentence emphasizes danger and emergency actions. It highlights risk to others. It makes the event seem highly frightening. It does not explain how common or rare such items are. It signals danger to shape concern.
Block 3
"The incident prompted the evacuation of the hospital, and authorities indicated that the man is expected to make a full physical recovery."
This frames the event as chaotic but ends with reassurance. It uses positive language about recovery. It hides any fault or responsibility by not naming actions that caused evacuation. It shifts attention to outcome rather than process.
Block 4
"The article also references a previous 2022 incident in Toulon where a man had an eight-inch long ... World War I munition removed from his rectum."
Reusing the same sensational detail links two cases. It suggests a pattern without evidence of commonality. It could imply a trend to frighten readers. It uses memory of a prior event to heighten worry.
Block 5
"Context is provided about World War I ordnance remaining in Western Europe, with mention of a large number of shells fired during the war and ongoing efforts to remove unexploded munitions through an annual operation known as the “iron harvest.”"
The term iron harvest is technical but presented as normal procedure. It could normalize dangerous objects as a routine issue. It implies risk is ongoing and accepted. It frames authorities as managing a long term issue.
Block 6
"Firefighters later confirmed the shell had been defused and posed no further danger to the patient or others."
This statement reduces danger and suggests control. It can reassure readers. It may downplay earlier fear. It uses a definitive tone that may discourage scrutiny. It shifts blame away from handling practices.
Block 7
"The man is described as 24 years old, with authorities considering potential legal action related to handling munitions."
This introduces age as a descriptor that could invite stereotypes about youth. It mentions legal action but does not specify laws or charges. It hints at blame without specifics. It shapes curiosity about accountability.
Block 8
"Claire Barrett and J. D. Simkins are identified as the reporters."
Listing names is neutral. It does not add bias by itself. It could invite readers to trust because of named sources. It does not present any source bias beyond attribution.
Block 9
"Doctors at the hospital have experience treating unusual injuries from sexual activities, though this case involves a much older munition."
This sentence makes a contrast to imply expertise. It could imply normalcy in strange cases yet exaggerates the rarity. It uses the word unusual to signal abnormality. It may create a sense that such cases are part of a known pattern.
Block 10
"The shell was removed during surgery at Rangueil Hospital."
This is specific but factual. It anchors the event in a location. It does not shift blame. It supports a straightforward narrative. It does not discuss broader policy or safety failures.
Block 11
"Authorities indicated that the man is expected to make a full physical recovery, though police may pursue legal action for handling category A munitions."
The phrase "category A munitions" labels severity but lacks explanation. It could create fear about legal consequences. It frames the case as legal risk rather than health risk. It hints at punishment without detailing law.
Emotion Resonance Analysis
The text carries a mix of emotions that quietly shape how the reader feels about the event. A sense of unease and fear sits near the surface, beginning with the image of an eight-inch World War I shell being inserted into a man’s body and the hospital evacuation. This creates worry about danger and the seriousness of the situation. Words like “unexploded,” “explosive ordnance disposal team,” and “defused” push the reader to feel cautious vigilance and relief at the safety outcome, while also highlighting the potential for harm. The medical context adds gravity, with phrases such as “surgery,” “abdominal surgery,” and “full physical recovery” balancing fear with hope, giving the reader a sense that the patient’s life is precarious but not doomed.
There is also a subtle tone of curiosity and awe when describing the shell’s age and origin. The reference to a “World War I era shell” and the idea of “iron harvest” evoke historical weight and the oddity of finding such an old munition. This curiosity is tempered by caution, since the object is dangerous even after many years, which keeps the mood sober rather than light. The repetition of terms like “shell,” “munitions,” and “ordnance” reinforces a sense of danger tied to objects left over from the past, which can stir a feeling of respect for the risks hidden in everyday places.
A sense of seriousness and professionalism appears through the report’s careful details about safety procedures and legal considerations. Phrases such as “explosive ordnance disposal team was called,” “evacuation of the hospital,” and “police may pursue legal action” convey a formal mood. This seriousness supports trust in the account by showing that authorities handle risks with rules and care, rather than leaving the story to speculation. The sober tone is meant to reassure readers that authorities are in control and that the incident is being taken seriously, even as it remains unusual and shocking.
The text also tugs at sympathy for the unnamed patient. Even though “the man is 24 years old,” the story focuses on his health and recovery rather than empowerment or blame. The human element—his age and the hope for a “full physical recovery”—humanizes the event and can invite readers to feel concern for his well-being. The possibility of legal action adds tension, as readers may wonder about responsibility and consequences, which can generate mixed feelings of sympathy and frustration toward the situation.
In terms of persuasive effect, the writer uses emotion to foster caution, respect, and reassurance. The emotional language around danger—“unexploded,” “defused,” “evacuation,” and “explosive ordnance disposal”—serves to remind readers that such weapons can be deadly even after long years. This strengthens trust in the safety measures and authorities, nudging readers to feel confidence in the system. The contrast between danger and recovery—dangerous object, successful surgery, and potential legal action—keeps the reader attentive and engaged, encouraging a balanced view of concern and respect for procedure.
Overall, the emotions guide readers to feel worried yet hopeful, respectful of safety work, and sympathetic toward the patient, while the writing tools—repetition of dangerous imagery, formal terminology, and the balanced presentation of risk and recovery—work together to persuade readers to take the incident seriously, trust authorities, and consider the lasting legacy of war munitions in modern life.

