TheCable

Colombian military doctors have successfully removed a live grenade from the head of a soldier.

The object got into his head after one of his colleagues accidentally fired a grenade launcher during a patrol in Arauca, the eastern part of the country.

Since taking the victim by helicopter would be dangerous, he was transported by ambulance to a military hospital in the capital, Bogota, and the journey lasted eight hours.

The doctors reportedly built an improvised operating theatre in the car park due to the danger of the grenade exploding.

Meanwhile, William Maldonado, a surgeon, said the grenade was successfully removed.

“Five minutes were decisive, if the grenade had exploded, there would have been a tragedy,” Maldonado was quoted as saying.

“The patient’s condition has been stable since the operation on Sunday, however, up to four more operations will be needed to rebuild the soldier’s face.”