A major overnight operation has been completed in Plymouth to safely remove a Second World War bomb, forcing around 800 residents to evacuate their homes. The unexploded device, discovered on a building site earlier this week, prompted a large-scale emergency response from police and army bomb disposal teams.
Discovery and Immediate Response
The wartime device was first uncovered on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, during construction work on unused land between Bath Street and Martin Street in the Millbay area. The site had been under investigation since an anomaly was detected in 2024. Following its discovery, experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit assessed the device to plan the safest method of disposal.
Plymouth City Council coordinated the complex response, which involved multiple evacuations as work was paused and resumed. The critical phase began at 11pm on Thursday, January 15, when the council issued an urgent directive. All residents within a 150-metre radius of the planned removal route were instructed to leave their properties immediately and remain out overnight.
Large-Scale Disruption and Community Support
The bomb's removal caused significant disruption across Millbay. Key roads were closed, and several buildings within the safety cordon were forced to shut. Millbay Academy transferred to online learning, while the Moxy Hotel evacuated its guests, many of whom left without their belongings. Council offices at Ballard House also closed and will remain shut on Friday, January 16.
For those with nowhere else to go, an evacuation assembly point was established at Christ the King Church Hall on Armada Way. The council acknowledged the significant inconvenience, with a spokesperson stating: "We recognise that leaving at short notice, particularly at night, is far from ideal. However, now that the device has been uncovered, the priority is to complete the operation swiftly and safely."
Safe Removal and Return Home
The device, identified as a German SC50 bomb, was carefully transported from the site by the EOD convoy in the early hours. Authorities anticipated the delicate operation would not be complete until 3am at the earliest. Residents were advised to monitor the council's social media feeds on Facebook and X for real-time updates.
Once the bomb was successfully removed and the police cordon lifted, residents were allowed to return to their homes. The council thanked the community for their cooperation during the high-stakes incident, which has now been resolved without injury.
