Rare, scarce, uncommon.
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Here is a reportive dictionary definition of unique:
unique | yo͞oˈnēk |
adjective
being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else: the situation was unique in modern politics | original and unique designs.
• [predicative] (unique to) belonging or connected to (one particular person, group, or place): a style of architecture that is unique to Portugal.
• particularly remarkable, special, or unusual: a unique opportunity to see the spectacular Bolshoi Ballet.
I’ve emphasized the last definition to help show why qualifiers can apply to unique.
Perhaps this discussion should be moved to the proper topic-the question is what unique is modifying. Is the cereal ring a cheerio or not? Within Cheerios there are many minute variations that make each one unique in its own right. Arguably, except at that minute level, Cheerios are not unique. The bomb was unique. It’s unusual nature needed no further modifier.
The quoted definition is a response to popular usage, and there are many who disagree with it. I understand that language shifts over time and sigh when I find what I consider incorrect usage.
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Well, the topic is a big explosion. And the “unique” derail certainly blew it up good.
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My work here is done.
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The issue is because there are different valid definitions of “unique”, with some people desperately trying to fight against the evolution of language to claim otherwise 
Can something be very unique or somewhat unique?: Usage Guide
Many commentators have objected to the comparison or modification (as by somewhat or very ) of unique , often asserting that a thing is either unique or it is not. Objections are based chiefly on the assumption that unique has but a single absolute sense, an assumption contradicted by information readily available in a dictionary. Unique dates back to the 17th century but was little used until the end of the 18th when, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, it was reacquired from French. H. J. Todd entered it as a foreign word in his edition (1818) of Johnson’s Dictionary, characterizing it as “affected and useless.” Around the middle of the 19th century it ceased to be considered foreign and came into considerable popular use. With popular use came a broadening of application beyond the original two meanings (here numbered senses 1 and 2a). In modern use both comparison and modification are widespread and standard but are confined to the extended senses 2b and 3. When sense 1 or sense 2a is intended, unique is used without qualifying modifiers.
There is a handy list of words prescriptivists are trying to freeze in time without success:
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