Advertisement

Army carry out controlled explosion of 'largest' WWII bomb found on British soil

The Army has described a Second World War bomb, found in Birmingham, as one of the largest unexploded bombs to have been found on British soil.

View all 24 updates ›

Army describe WWII bomb as 'largest' found on British soil

The Army has described a Second World War bomb, found in Birmingham, as one of the largest unexploded bombs to have been found on British soil.

Troops needed to conduct a significant amount of mitigation work to prepare the site for a controlled explosion, due to the amount of sensitive infrastructure in the area, particularly the A38 Aston Expressway flyover and a gas pipe, an Army spokesman said.

After close inspection the condition of the bomb ruled out removing it to a safer place to detonate.

In particular, the two fuses had badly corroded causing explosive material to leak.

This left the soldiers with only one option, a controlled explosion.

– Army spokesman

Dozens of people spent the night in a rest centre as hundreds of nearby homes were evacuated after the discovery on Monday night (15 May).

The Red Cross said around 80 people were cared for overnight by volunteers.

Bomb disposal experts covered the bomb with 250 tons of sand before carrying the controlled explosion.

More on this story