An American tourist in Austria picked up an unexploded World War II artillery shell and tried to bring it home as a souvenir- causing panic at the Vienna Airport.
The 24-year-old, who has not been identified, told local authorities she found the shell on a hike.
It was discovered as she allegedly tried to take military ordnance through customs.
Austrian customs called in the bomb disposal unit to removed the shell, which shut down a portion of the arrivals and luggage section of the airport for 15 minutes, according to Deutsche Welle.
She told authorities that after she found it, she took it back to her hotel room and cleaned it off so it wouldn't get her clothes dirty in her luggage.
The tourist was fined nearly $5,000 and reported to prosecutors for negligent endangerment.
Despite the potentially hazardous situation, police told the outlet passengers were never in any danger.
The Daily Mail
More about: shell
