Bomb disposal squads were called in to examine a giant metal orb of mysterious origin found washed up on a Japanese beach.
Authorities moved quickly to close off access to Enshuhama Beach in the city of Hamamatsu, after the suspicious 1.5m diameter ball was found on the shore by a local woman on Tuesday.
Early fears that it could be an explosive mine were dismissed after a police X-ray revealed it to be hollow – but the presence of the huge ball still baffled experts.
One local man, who regularly runs on the beach, told public broadcaster NHK: “It’s been there for a month. I tried to push it, but it wouldn’t budge.”
The discovery prompted a flurry of bizarre – and joke – explanations for the origins of the ball on Twitter, including an old submarine mine, Miley Cyrus’s famous wrecking ball, Harry Kane’s missed penalty against France and a Godzilla egg.
A mysterious metal ball spotted on a beach in Hamamatsu City this week prompted local police to scramble the bomb squad. A careful examination revealed it is not a threat -- but shed no light on what it actually is. pic.twitter.com/ytClWsP0bw
— NHK WORLD News (@NHKWORLD_News) February 21, 2023
But one commenter pointed towards the small handle at the top, which suggested a simpler explanation that it is a steel mooring buoy that has worked itself free in the water.
He said: “It’s a steel mooring buoy. They are specially designed for the mooring of vessels in the most economical way while protecting shorelines, natural habitats and other boats by giving those sailing or stationed an alternative anchoring point for all types of vessels.”
Interest in mysterious objects has piqued in recent weeks after the US military shot down a Chinese air balloon over the Atlantic Ocean.
China’s top diplomat accused the United States of violating international norms with “hysterical” behaviour over the suspected spy balloon which flew over the United States and Canada, before being shot down on President Joe Biden’s orders.
