Suspected wartime bomb found at Hong Kong airport construction site, 900 evacuated
Construction workers found the suspicious object measuring approximately 30 cm x 7 cm (11.8 x 2.8 inches) and immediately notified the police. The Asian city’s police department sent officers from its explosive ordnance disposal bureau to the scene shortly after the discovery.
Evacuation and security measures
While the police evacuated approximately 900 people from the surrounding area as a precaution, experts evaluated the device and intervened. Due to the poor and unstable condition of the bomb, including the explosives inside, officers determined that it was unsafe to move and decided to conduct a controlled detonation in the area.
The explosion occurred around 4 p.m., about four hours after the initial discovery. The area reopened minutes later, with no injuries or damage to nearby airport operations reported.
historical context
The bomb is believed to be a British-made three-inch mortar shell from the Second World War. Occupied by Japanese forces during World War II and a target of Allied forces, Hong Kong has witnessed several discoveries of unexploded ordnance over the years. Such devices often date back to intense air raids and military operations in the region in the 1940s.
Police and airport staff said airport operations were not affected; The site was temporarily closed on the instructions of the police while bomb disposal experts dealt with the device.
FAQ
How common is it to find wartime bombs in Hong Kong?
Unexploded ordnance from the Second World War is occasionally found in Hong Kong due to its strategic importance in the war and the heavy bombardments of the city.What security measures are taken when such bombs are found?
Authorities are evacuating nearby residents and workers, cordoning off the area and deploying bomb disposal units to assess, detonate or defuse the device if necessary.
Why are these devices still fragile?
Over the decades, the explosives in these bombs can deteriorate, making the devices extremely sensitive and dangerous to handle or handle.
