- SYDNEY: A bomb disposal squad dismantled 50 suspected booby-trapped devices that a terminally ill electrician rigged up in his Sydney home before being taken to hospital, where he later died.
"Six devices were rendered safe through the detonation of small charges, which were attached to the suspicious devices by bomb disposal robots," police said Wednesday at the end of the 12-hour operation.
"Examinations found that none of the suspicious devices contained active explosives."
The bomb squad was called in after neighbors feared terrorists were at work after spotting canisters and wires connecting the house and car. They said the 69-year-old, who lived alone, died in hospital last week.
"We know that he was a recluse but whether he was a paranoid recluse we just don't know," police commander Gavin Dengate said.