Bomb disposal experts destroyed a WWII-era mine on Thursday that was found days ago off the large Cyclades island of Naxos.

A fishing boat skipper located the mine on Saturday and immediately notified authorities.

The ordnance was first very carefully moved closer to shore, specifically towed to a small harbor, where it was guarded by coast guard personnel on a 24-hour basis.

The large mine was neutralized by a special Hellenic Navy bomb disposal unit through a controlled detonation. The area surrounding the spot where it was hauled was cordoned off.

The discovery of such ordnance, both on land and sea, is not an uncommon occurrence in Greece. Unexploded bombs dropped by planes, grenades, shells, land mines and even sea mines have been repeatedly discovered over the years, some dating as far back as the Balkan Wars. Fatalities have also been recorded.