A cooler fell off the back of a Key Energy Services truck on Wednesday and in that cooler was a cardboard box that contained oilfield shaped charges. This happened in Liberty County, Texas.
The cooler is described as a 64-quart capacity with a beige top, dark green bottom, and metal handles on the sides. The charges contained in the cardboard box are small, bell-shaped, brass-colored, with two prongs on the top of each one.
Fifty of these explosives were being moved from one Key Energy Services construction location to another, when the cooler fell off the truck and although some of these explosive devices were recovered, 44 of them have not been found.
Officials say that although normally stable, if found, the should be treated as hazards because they are out of their normal, controlled environment.
The driver of the truck, about 15 minutes into the trip, noticed the tailgate was down and the box was missing, according to Ken DeFoor, Liberty County emergency management coordinator.
These explosives are used to take seismic readings in oil fields and are usually planted about 250 feet underground before they are detonated.
It is said that if exploded these devices would have the force of a small powered grenade.
Anyone with information about the missing explosives are to contact the Liberty County Sheriff's Office at 936-336-4500 or the Liberty County Emergency Management Office at 936-334-3219.
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