Two separate incidents involving suspected unexploded ordinance (UXO) have prompted evacuations in Exmouth and Plymouth, Devon, on Wednesday. The first incident occurred in Plymouth's Martin Street, where a 50kg German WW2 bomb was discovered at a building site. A 100m cordon was established, and residents within the 100m radius were advised to avoid the area. The second incident took place in Exmouth Marina, where a 400m cordon was set up after an unexploded wartime device was found during routine dredging. This led to the evacuation of approximately 5,000 people and 2,000 properties within the 400m radius.
The Royal Navy's bomb disposal experts, assisted by police, were unable to secure the devices on Wednesday due to darkness and the need for additional equipment. The operation was paused overnight, and it is expected to resume on Thursday. Residents of the evacuated properties along Millbay Road in Plymouth were temporarily allowed to return home on Wednesday evening but may need to evacuate again on Thursday while the bomb disposal team works to make the devices safe.
In Exmouth, the East Devon District Council provided overnight accommodation for around 35 residents at the town's leisure center, with approximately 30 people choosing to stay there. Additionally, 60 people were housed at an Exeter Hotel by Devon County Council. The Millbay Academy, which has over 500 pupils, was also evacuated and remained closed on Thursday.
The bomb disposal team from the Midlands, deployed to Exmouth, arrived at the seaside town around 19:25 GMT on Wednesday. The local authority urged people to avoid the marina area until further notice, and the situation in Exmouth was described as ongoing.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges of dealing with UXO, especially from the WW2 era. The need for careful handling and the potential for widespread evacuations underscore the importance of public safety and the expertise of bomb disposal teams in managing such situations.
