A historic World War Two bomb in Plymouth was successfully detonated on May 1, 2026, following the evacuation of over 1,200 homes. The 250kg German SC250 air-dropped weapon was discovered on a building site and deemed too unstable to move.
Authorities evacuated approximately 1,260 households within a 400-metre cordon. An evacuation centre was set up at the Southway Youth and Community Centre to accommodate those displaced by the operation.
The controlled explosion took place at around 9:45 AM. Residents had been advised to leave their windows open and turn off water before the blast. Colonel Nick Handy noted, “We have to be realistic; when that thing goes ‘bang’, there will be damage.”
During the operation, three local schools closed their doors for safety. To mitigate the impact of the blast, authorities placed 450 tonnes of sand around the bomb.
After the detonation, smoke filled the air, and debris scattered across the site. While initial concerns were addressed promptly, residents expressed mixed feelings about the event.
One unnamed resident remarked, “There was a big, big bang; you couldn’t miss this one.” Meanwhile, Councillor Sally Haydon extended her heartfelt thanks to the brave Army and Royal Navy unexploded ordnance specialists who worked tirelessly throughout the operation.
The swift response from Plymouth City Council and bomb disposal teams helped ensure public safety during this potentially dangerous situation. As cleanup efforts begin, officials continue to monitor the area closely.
