Man Hospitalized After Inserting Live WWI Shell in Rectum

Reference TimelineLast updated APR 16
SUMMARY

A 24-year-old man presented to Rangueil Hospital in Toulouse, France, on January 1, 2026, with an eight-inch-long World War I artillery shell in his rectum, leading to the hospital's evacuation and bomb disposal intervention. As of April 16, 2026, French prosecutors confirmed no charges will be filed against the man, as the munition was determined to be inert and decommissioned. The man underwent surgery and remained hospitalized for recovery after bomb disposal officials safely removed the shell. This incident drew comparisons to similar cases in France and the UK involving individuals presenting with artillery shells in their rectums.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 1 developments

  1. French prosecutors confirmed that no charges will be filed against a 24-year-old man who presented at a Toulouse hospital with a World War I artillery shell in his rectum.

    French prosecutors confirmed that no charges will be filed against a 24-year-old man who presented at a Toulouse hospital with a World War I artillery shell in his rectum. The munition was determined to be inert and decommissioned, posing no criminal offense. The incident on January 31st led to the evacuation of Rangueil Hospital.

February 2026 — 5 developments

  1. French media provided more in-depth reporting on the incident, highlighting the rarity and danger of such a situation.

    French media provided more in-depth reporting on the incident, highlighting the rarity and danger of such a situation.

  2. Further details emerged, including speculation that the incident may have been linked to a party stu…

    Further details emerged, including speculation that the incident may have been linked to a party stunt and that medical staff in Toulouse are accustomed to treating injuries from risky personal activities.

  3. The incident drew comparisons to similar cases in France (2022) and the UK (2021) involving individuals presenting with artillery shells in their rectums.

    The incident drew comparisons to similar cases in France (2022) and the UK (2021) involving individuals presenting with artillery shells in their rectums.

  4. It was reported that the man might face legal action for possessing "category A munitions" in France…

    It was reported that the man might face legal action for possessing "category A munitions" in France, though later reports suggested the case might not proceed due to the shell being demilitarized.

  5. Reports of the incident began to surface in international media, detailing the unusual circumstances and the hospital's response.

    Reports of the incident began to surface in international media, detailing the unusual circumstances and the hospital's response.

January 2026 — 3 developments

  1. Bomb disposal officials determined the shell did not pose an immediate danger and safely removed it.

    Bomb disposal officials determined the shell did not pose an immediate danger and safely removed it. The man underwent surgery and remained hospitalized for recovery.

  2. Due to the live nature of the shell, the hospital was evacuated, and bomb disposal experts were called to the scene.

    Due to the live nature of the shell, the hospital was evacuated, and bomb disposal experts were called to the scene. A security perimeter was established.

  3. A 24-year-old man presented to Rangueil Hospital in Toulouse with severe rectal pain, admitting to inserting an object.

    A 24-year-old man presented to Rangueil Hospital in Toulouse with severe rectal pain, admitting to inserting an object. Medical staff discovered it was an eight-inch-long, live WWI artillery shell.