London City Airport to reopen after discovery of wartime bomb
London City Airport will be reopen on Tuesday after scores of flights were cancelled following the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb.
A 214-metre exclusion was set up in Newham after the 500kg device was found at King George V Dock in east London on Sunday.
Residents were evacuated from their homes and the airport shut to all flights as the runway fell within the sealed-off area.
"The World War Two ordnance discovered in King George V Dock has been safely removed by the Royal Navy and Met Police. As a result, the exclusion zone has now been lifted and the airport will be open as normal on Tuesday," said Robert Sinclair, the airport's chief executive.
"I would like to thank the Royal Navy, Metropolitan Police and Newham Council for their professionalism and expertise in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion."
The 1.5-metre-long shell was found 15 metres underwater and is to be moved to a secure area to be disposed on Monday night.
Royal Navy divers will work with police through the night to move the German general-purpose bomb down the River Thames and carry out a controlled explosion on Tuesday morning.
"The transportation of the device... will impact on river traffic and motorists are advised that bridges along the route will be temporarily closed to traffic," Metropolitan Police said.
"While every effort is being made to progress the operation as quickly as possible, it is important that all of the necessary steps and precautions are taken to ensure it is dealt with safely."