Hong Kong police defuse a WWII bomb, evacuating thousands
- Authorities discovered a large WWII-era bomb at a construction site in Quarry Bay.
- Approximately 1,900 households, totaling 6,000 individuals, were evacuated to ensure safety.
- The situation was successfully managed, and no injuries were reported during the bomb disposal operation.
In Hong Kong, authorities faced a significant emergency situation when construction workers discovered a large undetonated bomb from World War II at a construction site in Quarry Bay. This area is a highly populated neighborhood, combining both residential and business sectors. Recognizing the immediate danger posed by the 1,000-pound bomb, police ordered the swift evacuation of about 1,900 households, affecting roughly 6,000 residents. The bomb, which measured 1.5 meters in length and weighed around 450 kilograms, contained a considerable amount of explosives, primarily TNT. Bomb disposal experts were called to the scene to manage the delicate task of neutralizing this potentially life-threatening find. The team began operations early Saturday morning, working in challenging conditions, including adverse weather caused by an approaching typhoon. They worked meticulously from approximately 2 a.m. until 11:48 a.m., successfully defusing the device without any injuries reported. This incident highlighted the ongoing risks of undetonated munitions left over from World War II, a legacy of the past that continues to affect many areas that were once conflict zones during the war. In fact, remnants from that era are occasionally discovered in Hong Kong, underscoring the historical importance and the need for heightened vigilance in construction and urban development.