More than 1,200 homes have been evacuated following the discovery of a World War Two bomb in Plymouth, Devon. The unexploded ordnance was found on a building site in the Southway area on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a 400-metre cordon on the advice of military bomb disposal experts.
Evacuation and Safety Measures
Southway Youth and Community Centre has been set up as an evacuation centre, while tonnes of sand are being transported to the scene to keep the device stable. Plymouth City Council stated that it is not yet known how long the cordon will remain in place, as this depends on the assessment by the Royal Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team. Residents may need to spend up to two nights away from their properties.
The council has issued advice for those being evacuated, including leaving windows open, turning off the water stop tap, and taking essential items for two days, such as medications, clothing, baby supplies, pet supplies, and important documents. Power packs for phones and hearing aids are also recommended.
Community Response
Laura Clarke, evacuated with her 11-year-old son, said: 'He is having his own little World War Two story courtesy of the Luftwaffe.' A local woman added: 'It's scary but when there was a bomb in Keyham all the houses were safe. I am hoping the same thing will happen here.' Another resident expressed concern for vulnerable people: 'I feel sorry for the vulnerable people like the elderly. We are okay because we are able to get out and about.'
Official Statements
Inspector Gareth Hammett from Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the device is a suspected unexploded WWII bomb. He said: 'We do not underestimate the impact and the inconvenience but we'd also like to reassure the public that we're working quickly and closely with our partners to try and bring this incident to a conclusion.' The council added: 'We appreciate this is a worrying situation and we thank residents for their patience and cooperation.'
Historical Context
Plymouth was heavily bombed during the 'Plymouth Blitz' of 1941, with over 50 attacks between 1941 and 1944 killing 1,178 civilians. Official records estimate around 2,820 bombs were dropped, with up to 10% failing to explode. This latest incident follows a similar discovery in February 2024, when a 500kg Nazi bomb in Keyham led to one of the largest peacetime evacuations in UK history, affecting over 10,000 people. That bomb was safely detonated at sea after a five-day operation.
Earlier this year, a 50kg German bomb was found in Millbay, Plymouth, and a separate device in Exmouth Marina led to further evacuations. The Royal Navy's bomb disposal team has used specialist X-ray equipment in these operations to ensure safe neutralisation.
