DEMINETEC in Strasbourg

DEMINETEC operates in Strasbourg

DEMINETEC, a French company headquartered in La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var), delivers civilian demining (pyrotechnic clearance) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk management services to public and private clients in Strasbourg, France. We cover the full chain from historical pyrotechnic desk study (EHT) to ordnance neutralisation and disposal, in line with French Decree 2005-1325 and international best practice.

Pyrotechnic historical context of Strasbourg

Strasbourg, the Alsatian capital and seat of the European institutions, carries a multi-layered pyrotechnic legacy: Prussian siege of 1870 (with early aerial bombardment by balloons), the Wilhelmine German fortification belt (Forts Frère, Foch, Ney…), World War I, and above all the November 1944 liberation by General Leclerc's 2nd Armoured Division.

Allied bombing of 11 August 1944 against railway and industrial facilities, the Colmar Pocket fighting (January-February 1945) and Operation Nordwind left significant quantities of explosive ordnance, particularly around the Rhine port, marshalling yards and former Wehrmacht estates.

Rhine river banks and Alsatian forts still contain substantial ammunition or chemical stocks. Eurométropole extensions, cross-border tram projects and port redevelopment systematically require historical desk studies (EHT) and geophysical surveys.

Our services in Strasbourg

Historical pyrotechnic desk study (EHT)

Document research in national and foreign archives to qualify pyrotechnic risk on a site (bombings, combat, depots, ranges).

Pyrotechnic safety study (ESP)

Residual risk assessment, definition of effect zones, safety perimeters and collective protective measures.

Magnetometric geophysical survey

On-site detection of ferromagnetic anomalies, surface or deep, onshore or underwater.

UXO clearance

Extraction, identification and neutralisation / disposal of munitions by our NEDEX / EOD-qualified operators.

Underwater expertise

Survey and clearance in ports, rivers and offshore environments, in partnership with our group company SEMTEC.

Why choose DEMINETEC for Strasbourg?

French licensed company, ISO 9001 and MASE certified, compliant with French Decree 2005-1325.
Teams of former French Navy and Army EOD operators (NEDEX / EOD qualifications).
Over 30 years of accumulated experience in France and on international projects.
Onshore and underwater intervention capacity through the DEMINETEC group (SEMTEC, GEODE, DEMINETEC ECG).
Quick response: quote within 48 hours, rapid mobilisation in France and abroad.

War history and explosive contamination in Strasbourg

Strasbourg was besieged during the Franco-Prussian War from 14 August to 28 September 1870. After the German victory at Wörth, Crown Prince Frederick detached General August von Werder to capture the fortress, which commanded a bridgehead across the Rhine and threatened southern Germany. Werder’s siege corps comprised 40,000 troops from Prussia, Württemberg and Baden, supported by two Prussian Landwehr divisions. Strasbourg had a 23,000-strong French garrison, including 7,000 National Guard militiamen, but its defenses were considered largely obsolete. The Germans occupied Schiltigheim, fortified it, captured Königshoffen, and placed the city under observation before beginning bombardment.

The first shells fell on Strasbourg on 14 August, and the German siege guns opened sustained fire on 23 August against the city, its fortifications and civilian population. The bombardment destroyed parts of the city, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Municipal Library in the former Dominican Church. An ammunition shortage reduced the intensity of fire on 26 August, after which the Germans conducted formal siege operations, advancing through trench parallels and concentrated artillery attacks. French sortie attempts were defeated, the enceinte wall was breached by 17 September, and an outwork was captured on 19 September. Uhrich surrendered the fortress on 28 September with 17,562 troops and military stores. German artillery expended 202,099 shells weighing about 4,000 tons.

Areas and structures concerned

Strasbourg fortress
Strasbourg city
Königshoffen suburb
Museum of Fine Arts
Municipal Library in the former Dominican Church
Wacken island
Kronenburg

Expected ordnance and implications for survey

The siege involved 1,277 French artillery pieces, German field guns and mortars, wall pieces, rifle and artillery fire, and breech-loading guns. German artillery parks held 366 guns and mortars and 320,404 shells, case shot and shrapnel. German siege artillery ultimately expended 202,099 shells, with a stated weight of about 4,000 tons. The French also surrendered 140,000 rifles, including 12,000 Chassepots. These records identify artillery, small-arms ammunition and concentrated bombardment as key subjects for historical desk study, geophysical survey and clearance planning.

Local regulatory framework

In Strasbourg, explosive ordnance clearance linked to construction works falls under French decree 2005-1325 as amended: the pyrotechnic safety study (ESP), drawn up under the clearance contractor's responsibility, is submitted by the project owner to the DREETS Grand Est (regional labour authority), which obtains the opinion of the explosives inspectorate.

FAQ: explosive risk in Strasbourg

When was Strasbourg subjected to military bombardment?

The first shells fell on Strasbourg on 14 August 1870. German siege guns opened fire on the city on 23 August, and bombardment continued alongside formal siege operations. Uhrich surrendered the fortress on 28 September 1870 after the enceinte wall had been breached and an outwork had been captured.

How much German artillery ammunition was used during the siege?

The German siege artillery expended 202,099 shells before Strasbourg. The ammunition had a stated weight of about 4,000 tons. German artillery parks at Vendenheim and Kork initially held 366 guns and mortars, with 320,404 shells, case shot and shrapnel provided.

Which Strasbourg locations were directly associated with the fighting or bombardment?

The siege affected the Strasbourg fortress and city, while German and French activity also involved Königshoffen, Kronenburg and Wacken island. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Municipal Library in the former Dominican Church were destroyed during the bombardment. French outworks and German siege batteries were also engaged.

Reference : Wikipédia — Siege of Strasbourg

Territorial coverage

DEMINETEC operates in Strasbourg and across France from our French head office (285 avenue Marcel Paul, 83500 La Seyne-sur-Mer, France). We mobilise teams and technical assets to fit each mission: documentary studies, short field surveys, or long-duration clearance operations.

Frequently asked questions about UXO clearance in Strasbourg

Which munitions are typically found?

In Strasbourg and across France, the most frequently recovered items include artillery shells, hand grenades, landmines, aerial bombs and — in coastal areas — naval mines. Exact typology depends on the site history and is the focus of the prior historical desk study (EHT).

Does French Decree 2005-1325 apply abroad?

French Decree 2005-1325 governs civilian pyrotechnic clearance on French soil. Internationally, DEMINETEC uses it as a best-practice benchmark alongside IMAS (International Mine Action Standards) and the contractual requirements specific to France.

How long does a mission in Strasbourg typically last?

Duration varies with surface area, investigation depth and anomaly density. An EHT desk study takes 2-6 weeks, a magnetometric survey from a few days to several months, and active clearance from a few weeks up to multiple years for major projects.

Do you operate underwater?

Yes. Through our subsidiary SEMTEC and the DEMINETEC group, we provide commercial diving, underwater magnetometry and submerged-ordnance neutralisation for ports, rivers, lakes and coastal areas.

Contact DEMINETEC for Strasbourg

For any historical study, diagnostic or pyrotechnic clearance request, contact our teams:

DEMINETEC SAS
285 avenue Marcel Paul
83500 La Seyne-sur-Mer, FRANCE
Tél: +33 (0)9 52 51 00 63
Email: contact@deminetec.com