Unnoticed by KNMI: ‘First and Final Boom’ – Dutch Farmer’s Carbide Explosion

explosion causes mini-earthquake during carbide shooting in Ten Post

A powerful explosion during carbide shooting in the Groningen village of Ten Post has left residents stunned and caused minor structural damage. The incident, which occurred on New Year’s Day, was strong enough to register as a mini-earthquake with the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI).

The KNMI confirmed that the explosion was not overlooked, with the first and last boom being clearly detected. "It was quite a blast," said local farmer Lucas, who was involved in the incident. The explosion was so intense that it caused nearby buildings to tremble, with some reporting cracks in their walls.

The cause of the explosion is believed to be a faulty oil tank used for carbide shooting. The practice involves injecting water into a container of carbide to create acetylene gas, which is then ignited to produce a powerful explosion. In this case, the oil tank failed to handle the pressure, leading to an explosion that was stronger than intended.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with debris flying through the air and a thick cloud of smoke billowing from the impact site. "It was like a war zone," said one resident. "I’ve never seen anything like it."

The explosion was so powerful that it left the farmer’s land in ruins, with only scattered remains of the equipment left intact. "It’s completely in rubble," said a spokesperson for the farmer’s family. "We’re just glad no one was seriously injured."

This is not the first time carbide shooting has caused concern in the region. The KNMI confirmed that they registered ‘almost certainly’ carbide shooting on New Year’s Eve. "We’ve seen explosions in the area before," said a KNMI spokesperson. "But this one was exceptional."

Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and whether any safety measures can be put in place to prevent such incidents in the future. In the meantime, locals are urged to be cautious when engaging in carbide shooting and to follow all safety guidelines.