Police and armed forces specialists have carried out a managed explosion on a second world warfare bomb found in Newtownards, County Down, greater than 80 years after it was dropped from a German airplane.
A plume of smoke rose over the Northern Irish city on Tuesday after a loud bang at 3.38pm signalled the destruction of the 500kg (1,100lb) bomb.
Greater than 400 houses have been evacuated from the Rivenwood space after the system was found at a constructing web site final Thursday. Munitions specialists created a sand-filled construction earlier than triggering the managed explosion.
Supt Johnston McDowell mentioned ammunition technical officers recognized the system as an airdropped SC-500 German bomb that posed a big threat to public security and required a posh operation.
He mentioned: “The disposal group was comprised of members of the military’s 321 EOD and search squadron, who alongside the police service led the most important operation. They have been additionally assisted by different emergency companies and companions, who all supplied knowledgeable data in managing the high-risk emergency scenario.”
McDowell added: “The success of this operation is testomony to the extent of talent our army colleagues have.”
Factories and shipyards at Newtownards, 12 miles east of Belfast, have been focused by the Luftwaffe in the course of the second world warfare, with 4 particularly heavy raids in April and Might 1941.
On Tuesday night, police confirmed that residents have been in a position to return to their houses.
