The WWII bomb discovered in the Rivenwood area of Newtownards, Co Down last week was detonated in a controlled explosion this afternoon, Tuesday, August 20.
The render safe procedure of the operation was initiated at about 3:38 pm local time and Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) carried out a controlled explosion of a bomb, PSNI Superintendent Johnston McDowell said on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Superintendent McDowell confirmed that the munition would be dealt with "on-site" as opposed to being removed and reiterated that there was "a risk of death or serious injury to anyone who does not leave the area if they have been instructed to do so."
After the controlled explosion, Superintendent McDowell said: “The munition found, which I can now confirm was identified as being an air-dropped SC-500 German bomb from World War Two, was understood to have been in and around 83 years old, but still posed a significant risk to public safety, even after all this time.
“This was a highly complex operation that prompted the evacuation of a large number of homes within 400 metres of where the bomb was located, and local police officers worked around the clock to engage with those impacted.
“The disposal team was comprised of members of the Army’s 321 EOD & Search squadron, who alongside the police service led the major operation.
"They were also assisted by other emergency services and partners, who all provided expert knowledge in managing the high-risk emergency situation."
Superintendent McDowell thanked all the personnel involved.
He added: “Whilst we will endeavour to enable residents to return to normality as soon as possible, please be advised, an update will be provided in due course as to when they are safe and able to do so.
“The operation continues until we reach the completion phase. Thank you again for your continued cooperation at this time.”
The PSNI does not appear to have publicly announced when the controlled explosion was due to occur.
Some people took to social media on Tuesday to share reports of a "loud bang" that was heard in Bangor, Millisle, and Donaghadee, questioning if it was the bomb.
One X user, Daniel Rainey, shared a clip of the explosion captured by a security camera:
Newtownards WWII Bomb pic.twitter.com/OsZylAyGot
— Daniel Rainey (@DanielRainey8) August 20, 2024
Cool FM News shared another clip of the explosion:
🚨💣WOW!: This is the moment a controlled explosion was carried out on the Newtownards 'WW2 bomb'.
❗️🗣Family member of the owner of this house told Chief Reporter @jamesgould23, that "they weren't expecting this to say the least!"
This footage is from the house of Graeme… pic.twitter.com/gUXAX6VvH8
— Cool FM News (@newsoncool) August 20, 2024
James Fraser, the developer of the Rivenwood site where the bomb was discovered last week, told the BBC that the Army had informed him that some solar panels had been damaged on the nearby homes due to the controlled explosion, but no windows were broken.
Fraser had told BBC News NI on Monday that a groundwork contractor was digging a service trench about 1.5m deep when he noticed "something that didn't look right."
He said the contractor spoke to a supervisor who was able to identify the device as a wartime bomb and contacted the PSNI.
The controlled explosion took place after more than 400 homes were evacuated from the Rivenwood area in Newtownards.
The evacuation operation commenced following the discovery of what PSNI described as "a suspected historic piece of munition" on Thursday morning, August 15.
Superintendent McDowell said on Monday that the operation had moved into the "mitigation phase" and that work had commenced "on establishing protection to nearby properties and facilities."
He said there was no definite timescale, but that previous operations of this nature have shown that it could take five days or more before the area is safe to enter.
"The sheer size of the World War II bomb states that we have to put in place a 400m cordon," Superintendent McDowell told the press on Monday.
"Anyone within that, without a mitigation, there is a serious risk of death or serious injury."
Experts had speculated that the piece of munition is Germand and landed in Newtownards during the Belfast Blitz of 1941.
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