An explosive device likely dating to the Spanish Civil War was discovered Sunday off the coast of a beach in Barcelona.

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One of the city's most popular beaches, Sant Sebastia, was evacuated and police cordoned off an 800-foot-perimeter, Reuters reported.

Specialists with the Spanish navy will examine the device Monday. Officials believe it could have been placed between 1936 and 1939 during the Spanish Civil War.

An off-duty police diver happened to be swimming in the area and found the device about 80 feet from shore in 10-foot-deep water.

The beach will remain closed until the device is deemed safe.

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