An unexploded World War II bomb exploded at sea, forcing thousands of people in Plymouth to flee their homes.
Around 30 of the military’s most experienced bomb disposal experts led a “very complex disposal operation” on Friday following the discovery of a 500kg bomb on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defense (Defence) said.
Police were called to a property on St Michael Avenue in the Keyham area. plymouth The device was unearthed by a man who was digging the foundation for an expansion on his property.
A 300 meter cordon was then placed around the site, affecting 1,219 properties and an estimated 3,250 people, making it one of the largest evacuations since the end of World War II.
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World War II bomb found in Plymouth
The Defense Ministry said the device exploded just before 10 p.m.
The explosives were discovered in a backyard, prompting “one of the UK’s largest peacetime evacuation operations,” according to the Ministry of Defense.
On Friday, a military convoy towed the unexploded ordnance from the house where it was found through a populated area to the Torpoint Ferry dock, where it was then detonated.
More than 100 personnel from the Royal Army and Royal Navy were involved in the operation, along with Plymouth City Council staff, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Cornwall Police.
Lt. Col. Rob Swan, who was at the scene, explained before the explosion that the bomb would be carried to a depth of at least 14 meters before divers applied a donor charge to ignite the explosive.
The bomb was found in Keyham’s garden.
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Defense Secretary Grant Shapps praised the “courage and fortitude” of troops involved in “a very complex operation” and the “patience and co-operation” of the public.
“I would like to thank all the staff involved in this very complex operation and the public for their patience, who worked day and night this week to keep the public safe and minimize the risk of harm,” he said. “I want to express that,” he said. And cooperation.
“The success of this operation is a testament to the level of skill and expertise across our military, and the courage and fortitude of our members who faced high-risk situations and worked under extreme pressure.”
Plymouth City Council President Tudor Evans said: “I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that these last few days will go down in Plymouth’s history.”