Mounties investigate discovery of 'very small pipe bomb' in Kamloops, B.C.

A Kamloops RCMP vehicle is pictured in the city's Riverside Park on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Courtesy: Michael Potestio/Castanet)

Mounties are investigating and appealing for witnesses after an explosive device was discovered Wednesday on a beach in Kamloops, B.C.

The local RCMP detachment says frontline officers were dispatched to the area along the North Thompson River, near the intersection of Richmond Avenue and Schubert Drive, around 1:20 p.m. for a suspicious item.

An explosive disposal unit was called to the scene, and public access to the beach was restricted.

"Based on the appearance of the item, officers believed it was a very small pipe bomb, which was later confirmed," Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said in a statement Thursday.

The pipe bomb was removed from the scene and destroyed by the bomb disposal unit, according to the statement.

Investigators are asking anyone with information related to the explosive device to contact the Kamloops RCMP detachment at 250-828-3000.