UK: 1,200 homes evacuated after WWII bomb found at Plymouth building site

More than 1,200 homes have been evacuated as authorities prepare for a controlled explosion after a World War II bomb was discovered at a building site in Plymouth.According to the BBC, a 400-meter exclusion zone has been set up around the Southway area where a 250 kilogram German SC250 bomb was found. Officials said the device could not be safely moved due to concerns about its fuse.Colonel Nick Handy, the senior explosives officer who led the operation, said that despite X-ray inspections, one of the bomb’s fuses could not be properly assessed.“The reason is simple, the fuse is what caused the explosion,” he told reporters.He added that the lack of clear readings meant mobile devices were too dangerous.“Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain a clear radiograph of the second fuse, so it was not safe to move the item,” he said. “So we’re going to blow it up right there.”Teams are working through the night to use large quantities of sand to build protective structures to reduce the impact of the explosion.“We will do our best to detonate the item and burn it within the building to limit damage to the local environment,” Colonel Handy said, adding that efforts will focus on minimizing the explosion and debris.Residents within the cordon have been told to leave their homes, and authorities have warned that no one should return until the operation is complete.Southway Youth and Community Center has been opened to accommodate evacuees, while Plymouth City Council is arranging hotel accommodation for those who are unable to find alternative accommodation.Devon and Cornwall Police said there were no current plans to expand the exclusion zone, but noted the situation could change based on safety assessments.