Evacuations in Hong Kong After Discovery of WWII Bomb
In a dramatic turn of events in Hong Kong, around 1,900 households were evacuated as authorities worked through the night to safely defuse a large, unexploded bomb from World War II. The U.S.-made bomb, weighing about 1,000 pounds and nearly 5-feet long, was discovered at a construction site in Quarry Bay.
Andy Chan Tin-Chu, a police spokesperson, confirmed the situation, citing the high risks associated with the bomb’s disposal. To ensure public safety, approximately 6,000 residents were quickly urged to leave their homes.
Bomb disposal experts began their work around 2 a.m. and worked under adverse weather conditions, including a nearby typhoon. They successfully neutralized the threat by 11:48 a.m., without any injuries reported.
The bomb contained around 500 pounds of TNT and was likely dropped during U.S. air raids on Hong Kong during the war. The Hong Kong Police Force had set up an emergency evacuation plan after the bomb was unearthed by construction workers.
This is not the first time a WWII bomb has been found in Hong Kong. In 2018, another 1,000-pound bomb was successfully defused at a construction site in the city, marking the third such discovery that year.
As a reminder of the past, Hong Kong was occupied by Japanese forces during WWII and was a target for U.S. air strikes, which have left lingering remnants like this large bomb.
Thanks to prompt actions from authorities and a well-executed evacuation plan, the incident was resolved without harm to residents.
