A 500 kg unexploded bomb of German origin from World War II was discovered in a garden located in Plymouth, a city in Britain. The finding prompted an extensive evacuation effort, with thousands of residents in the area being relocated for safety. According to a report by CNN, the bomb, which was found on Tuesday, was eventually disposed of by detonating it in the sea on Friday, marking four days since its initial discovery.
The discovery of the bomb led to the immediate cordoning off of a section of Plymouth, particularly around St Michael Avenue, where the device was located. This area, which encompasses 4,300 properties and houses approximately 10,000 individuals, was subject to heightened security measures as bomb disposal experts from the Armed Forces were summoned to assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action.
After careful evaluation, it was determined that the safest method of disposal was to detonate the 500 kg bomb in the sea. The disposal operation, which took place on Friday, necessitated the closure of several roads and the suspension of rail and bus services in the vicinity. The bomb was transported via lorry through the streets of the city before being taken by boat to a location at least 14 meters into the sea, where it was detonated.
Tudor Evans, the leader of Plymouth City Council, reflected on the significance of the event, stating, "The last few days will go down in history for Plymouth. This war-time bomb has really brought out a war-time spirit, people coming together to really support each other and whilst it has been really tough – we got through it," as reported by CNN.
Further insights into the historical context of the bomb were provided by staff at The Box, a cultural space and museum in Plymouth. They suggested that the bomb was likely dropped on April 22 or April 23, 1941. The museum also highlighted that Plymouth endured the detonation of approximately 1,362 bombs during World War II, according to information reported by the BBC.
