Bomb (Air Delivered) event in Devon, Southway, Plymouth area, United Kingdom on Wed 29th April 2026

A World War Two unexploded bomb discovered on a building site in Plymouth is being made safe this morning after specialists began a controlled explosion. Royal Navy and Army unexploded ordnance (UXO) experts confirmed the device is a historic German SC250 – a 250kg air-dropped weapon – and assessed that it could not be safely removed, making a detonation the only option. Around 1,260 households within a 400-metre cordon were evacuated, with three local schools remaining closed. Residents unable to stay with family or friends were directed to an evacuation centre at Southway Youth and Community Centre, which has been operating overnight. A statement on the city council’s website said: ‘The operation to make the unexploded device in Southway safe began at approximately 8.15am today. As this remains a live operation, we are unable to provide further detail. Updates will be shared once confirmation is received that the device has been made safe.’