via The Straits Times, 29 May 2023: Cannon shells believed to be from World War II were discovered on a China-registered bulk carrier ship that was detained in Malaysian waters for unauthorized anchoring, following reports of illegal salvage activity targeting British World War II wrecks.
Malaysia’s maritime authorities on Monday said cannon shells believed to be from World War II have been found on a China-registered bulk carrier ship detained at the weekend for anchoring in its waters without permission.
The discovery comes amid reports this month that scavengers have targeted two British World War II wrecks off the coast of Malaysia – the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse – which were sunk by Japanese torpedoes in 1941, just three days after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbour in Hawaii.
Following reports of the illegal salvage activity, Britain’s National Museum of the Royal Navy last week said it was “distressed and concerned at the apparent vandalism for personal profit” of the two wrecks.
See also:
- Malaysia searches Chinese ship suspected of looting WWII wrecks | Straits Times, 30 May 2023
- Chinese barge suspected of looting WWII British warship wrecks detained by Malaysia | Brisbane Times, 30 May 2023
- Malaysia Detains Chinese Ship on Suspicion of Looting British WWII Wrecks | The Diplomat, 30 May 2023
- Malaysia detains Chinese ship suspected of looting British WW2 wrecks | BBC News, 30 May 2023
