A major police alert has been issued after builders discovered an unexploded World War II bomb at a construction site in Coventry, forcing 96 homes to be evacuated
A major police operation has resulted in nearly 100 homes being evacuated after construction workers unearthed an unexploded World War II bomb.
West Midlands Police issued the order for residents to vacate 96 properties after the hazardous wartime device was discovered on a building site in Coventry on Tuesday evening, June 3, reports the Express.
The potentially lethal weapon was uncovered at Sandy Lane Business Park, where 250 new homes are set to be constructed on the former site of the Daimler automotive factory.
Officers confirmed the bomb was found during building work in the Radford area at 2.55pm on Tuesday. A substantial 100-metre exclusion zone has been established, and it is expected the area may not be declared safe until the following morning.
A statement from West Midlands Police said: “For the public’s safety, a 100 metre cordon is in place which has resulted in 96 homes evacuated at this time and being supported by Coventry City Council where required.
“Work is ongoing with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts to assess the device, this is likely to continue throughout the evening and into tomorrow morning.”
“We appreciate the co-operation of local residents, businesses and motorists as emergency services and EOD work through the safe disposal of the device.”
Coventry Police said on X: “Roads are closed this evening (Tue) around Sandy Lane Business Park, Radford, after the discovery of an unexploded WW2 bomb. A 100m cordon is in place during ongoing work with Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts to assess the device and work through its safe disposal.”
Responding to the police statement on social media, one resident wrote: “There are multiple buried UXB’s (unexploded bombs) all over Coventry, and what worries me is they’re over 80 years old now.” A further commenter expressed their “thank you” to the police for keeping the public informed.
Coventry suffered devastating Nazi bombing raids during the Second World War. The notorious Coventry Blitz took place on the night of 14th November, continuing into the early hours of 15th November, 1940.
Hitler dispatched 515 bombers to strike the city on those dates, with the aim of obliterating its wartime industrial base. It was reported that the glow from the enormous fireball created by the catastrophic assault could be seen from as far as 100 miles away.
