Unexploded World War II Bomb Found In East London, Safely Defused

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An unexploded Second World War bomb which had the capacity to "cause mass destruction" if detonated has been safely defused.

unexploded bomb

The unexploded bomb from World War II uncovered at an East London construction site yesterday, has been safely defused.

The bomb has been removed from the site after being made safe by the explosive experts.

A spokesman for Tower Hamlets council said: “The bomb has been defused. Residents are allowed back home and traffic restrictions will be lifted within the hour.

The 250-kilogram (550-pound) device had lain undisturbed for the past 70 years but was uncovered on Monday afternoon by contractors working at a site on Temple Street in Bethnal Green.

Bomb disposal experts had been working overnight to try to defuse the bomb which was found in the basement of a London property.

The BBC report: Families spent the night in a school hall after the 500lb bomb was found in the basement of a building site in Bethnal Green on Monday afternoon.

An exclusion zone was extended to 200m (650ft), resulting in more people being evacuated, Tower Hamlets Council said.

Bomb disposal experts are still at the scene, the Ministry of Defence said.

The bomb, which was found by contractors, was thought to have been dropped over the capital during German bombing raids in the early 1940s but did not detonate, said the London Fire Brigade (LFB).

A spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council said: “After discussions with the Army, the London Fire Brigade, and the Metropolitan Police, we have agreed to extend the exclusion zone to 200 metres.

unexploded bomb

“We understand this will cause inconvenience for a lot of residents. We urge residents to look at alternative places to stay for the night.”

Beds, food, drinks, and wash bags were provided at the Bethnal Green Academy, which is being used as a rest centre, following the discovery on Temple Street.

An MoD spokesman said a bomb disposal team from the Royal Logistics Corps was on site and assisting police.

Last night residents took to Twitter to share their experiences.

Rachel Walker wrote: “WWII bomb in #BethnalGreen has resurrected Blitz Spirit.”

‘Protracted incident’
LFB station manager Matt Burrows said its search and rescue crews were helping the military.

He said a “great deal of work” was being carried out to defuse the bomb.

“This however, will be a protracted incident and we thank the local residents for their patience,” he added.

Several roads remained closed and police have warned of “significant traffic disruption” into the morning rush hour.

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