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An unexploded bomb from the Second World War which forced thousands of people in Plymouth to evacuate has been successfully detonated at sea.
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokeswoman confirmed the 500kg bomb, which was discovered buried in a back garden, had been ‘detonated successfully at 9.51pm’ following an extensive operation.
Around 30 of the armed forces’ most experienced bomb disposal specialists had worked around the clock since Tuesday to assess the condition of the device since it was discovered in St Michael Avenue in the Keyham area of Plymouth.
What followed was ‘one of the largest UK peacetime evacuation operations’ according to the MoD.
The bomb was dragged out to sea by bomb disposal experts (Picture: Matt Gilley/FPS Images)
A major operation took place to transport it through town (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
Around 10,320 people and 1,219 properties were affected by the 300-metre cordon which was put in place around the site.
The MoD said the munition, identified as an air-dropped German bomb from the Second World War – designated SC-500 – was assessed as posing a significant risk to public safety with people living within the cordon evacuated.
More than 100 personnel from the British Army and Royal Navy, including bomb disposal experts, were involved in the complex operation along with Plymouth City Council officials, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Devon and Cornwall Police and members of the armed forces, to ensure the device was removed and people were safe.
On Friday, a military convoy towed the unexploded bomb from the home where it was found and through the densely populated residential area to Torpoint Ferry slipway, where it was taken out to sea and later detonated.
MoD officialls watched the nail-biting operation take place from the control room (Picture: X/@ChSupt_IanDS)
The bomb was detonated at around 10pm on Friday (Picture: Matt Gilley/FPS Images)
Lt Colonel Rob Swan, who was at the scene, explained before the detonation that the bomb would be taken to a depth of at least 14 metres before a diver would place a donor charge on the bomb to ignite the explosive.
On Friday at 5.32pm, town hall chiefs declared the operation a ‘success’ telling residents ‘you can now return to your homes in Keyham’.
Tudor Evans, the leader of Plymouth City Council, said: ‘I think it is fair to say that the last few days will go down in history for Plymouth.’
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps thanked the personnel who had been involved in the ‘highly complex operation’.
Mr Shapps said: ‘I would like to express my thanks to all our personnel involved in this highly complex operation, who worked both night and day this week to keep the public safe and minimise the risk of damage, as well as the public for their patience and cooperation.
‘The success of this operation is testament to the level of skill and expertise across our armed forces, as well as the bravery and fortitude of our personnel when faced with high-risk situations and working under extreme pressure.’
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