Pigeon blown to pieces by ceremonial cannon as it strays through line of fire

A pigeon was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time as it flew in front of a ceremonial cannon being fired in Malta.



Footage, filmed by honeymooner Karl Oliver on November 2, shows an artillery soldier firing the antique weapon.



But just as the gunpowder ignites, the unlucky bird flies right in front of the powerful blast.



Malta hasn't used live ammunition in these cannons since the 19th Century.



They fire blank rounds from the cannons to mark midday.



That could have been good news for the poor bird.



Unfortunately, if you go through the footage frame-by-frame, the bird doesn't appear to have faired well during the ordeal.