More explosives found in St. Mary's state park Tuesday

Newtowne Neck State Park has been closed since Friday

Underwater surveys of the shoreline along a state park in Southern Maryland turned up eight more World War II-era military explosives, according to fire officials.

More than 18 pieces of military ordnance — artillery shells — have been found over the last week near the shore of Newtowne Neck State Park in Leonardtown, according to a statement Tuesday from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The eight rounds found during the sweep Tuesday were 57 mm rounds. They were all found underwater.

The park, in St. Mary's County, has been closed to the public since Friday and will remain closed until officials determine that the park is safe. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working to determine the artillery rounds' origin, the statement said.

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