A 24-year-old man was hospitalized in Toulouse, France, after arriving at a medical facility with a World War I shell lodged inside his rectum.
The incident prompted the involvement of emergency services and a bomb disposal unit. Authorities confirmed the object dated back to 1918.
The man presented himself at Rangueil Hospital on the night of January 31. He complained of severe pain and admitted inserting an object into his body.
However, he did not initially specify what the object was. Medical staff proceeded with treatment to determine the cause of his condition.
During surgery, doctors discovered a 16-centimeter by 4-centimeter artillery shell. The device was reportedly a relic from World War I. French outlet La Dépêche reported that the shell was more than 100 years old.
The discovery immediately raised safety concerns.
Emergency response and investigation
At approximately 3 a.m., local authorities were notified. Seven firefighters, police officers, and a bomb disposal team were dispatched to the hospital. A security perimeter was established as a precaution. Officials sought to prevent any risk of explosion or fire.
La Dépêche reported that firefighters were mobilized to reinforce safety measures during the intervention. France Bleu also confirmed that a bomb squad attended the scene. Later, firefighters told Le Parisien that the shell was successfully defused. They confirmed there was no ongoing threat.
It remains unclear how the shell became lodged inside the man. He is recovering from surgery and is expected to be questioned by authorities. Investigators are attempting to determine how he obtained the device. He may face charges under France’s weapons legislation.
Foreign object hospitalizations are not uncommon
Although the circumstances were unusual, medical professionals note that rectal foreign body cases are not rare.
According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, approximately 38,948 people were hospitalized annually between 2012 and 2021 for foreign objects in the rectum. The average patient age was 43. Seventy-eight percent of cases involved men.
In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission tracks emergency room visits and their causes. Data reviewed by Defector from 2024 revealed a range of unusual objects reported in similar incidents. Items included uncooked pasta, baseballs, and vape pens.
Hospital records have also included patient explanations for how objects became lodged. One patient reportedly claimed to have slipped in the shower onto a shampoo bottle. Another reportedly inserted a plastic coat hanger and cut part of it off before driving to the emergency room.
Authorities in Toulouse have not released the identity of the 24-year-old man. Officials have confirmed the shell no longer poses a danger.
The case remains under investigation.
