Homes evacuated as second World War bomb found

Bomb disposal experts are working to defuse a 1,000lb bomb from the second World War found in Bermondsey, south-east London.

The discovery of the 5ft-long explosive with a tailfin on Monday led to the evacuation of 1,200 homes within 220 yards of of the device.

Southwark council said it had housed 80 people in local hotels overnight.

“For residents, we very much hope that they will be back in their homes this evening,” said the council on its website on Tuesday. “However, please be aware that this situation could change at any time.”

Robert Shaw, a former bomb disposal expert who worked in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, said the Royal Logistic Corps would have surrounded the bomb with sandbags to prevent premature detonation before making it safe.

“They will be working to get to the side of the bomb and remove the fuses,” he said. “Once they are removed, the bomb can be taken away on the back of the truck.”

Southwark was heavily bombed in the second World War as it was an industrial and commercial hub. London Fire Brigade said that between 2009 and 2014 it had been called to seven unexploded second World War bombs and five unexploded hand grenades. – (Guardian)