Plymouth Residents Evacuated as 250kg WWII Bomb Successfully Detonated in English Channel

Hundreds of residents in Keyham, Plymouth, were subject to a major evacuation effort this week following the discovery of a 250kg unexploded Second World War bomb. The device, identified as an SC250 general-purpose bomb, was unearthed by builders working on a property near St Michael Avenue on Tuesday morning.

Extensive Evacuation and Controlled Detonation

The discovery prompted the establishment of a 300-metre cordon, necessitating the evacuation of over 1,000 properties and 1,200 schoolchildren. Specialist bomb disposal teams from the Royal Navy worked for several days to prepare the ordnance for removal. On Friday, the bomb was successfully transported by military convoy to a slipway at HMNB Devonport and subsequently towed into the English Channel for a controlled detonation.

The operation, described by authorities as one of the largest in the UK since the Second World War, concluded with a significant explosion observed several miles offshore. Residents were allowed to return to their homes shortly after the successful detonation. Local officials praised the calm and cooperative response of the community throughout the operation.