Following a tense rescue effort that saw the Nazi device successfully towed out to sea, the Ministry of Defence announced that the unexploded Second World War bomb discovered beneath a Plymouth home has been detonated.
Four hours after it was successfully placed into a container and transported out to sea past the breakwater, the device was detonated at 9:51 p.m., according to a representative for the Ministry of Defence who talked with MailOnline. There were no more details at this time.
On February 20, the warhead was spotted by a father who was laying the groundwork for his daughter's new addition. This led to a cautious military operation to remove the device and remove it from St. Michael Avenue.
In one of the biggest peacetime evacuations in UK history, hundreds of offices, stores, schools, and homes were emptied to make way for Army explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists to securely take the weapon on a nerve-wracking journey to the coast.
The explosive was successfully moved to a ferry slip near the coast, where an army inshore craft placed it into a container and hauled it out to sea. A Royal Navy diver planted a charge, which caused it to explode after it was underwater.
Executives at the Army decided that if the bomb went off where it was supposed to in Plymouth's Keyham neighbourhood, it would have destroyed too many houses and put too many lives at danger.
Rather, the bomb was carefully manoeuvred through the winding streets of Plymouth atop a truck filled with sand. The 4,300 properties and 10,320 residents inside the cordon were given the option to either leave or remain indoors.
According to military chiefs, the gadget will be submerged below and then fitted with a "doughnut" charge by a diver to cause the device to explode.
By detonating the bomb underwater, you can reduce the likelihood of anyone or anything being harmed by the explosion. When the explosive is detonated, a sizable water plume is probably going to be produced by the subaquatic explosion.
The Ministry of Defence stated in a statement that the unexploded ordnance, or UXO as it is known in the Army, was "scheduled to be detonated in the next 24 hours," although it might not be destroyed until tomorrow.
The "bravery and fortitude" of those engaged in the "very complex operation" as well as the "patience and cooperation" of the general people were commended by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
He released the following statement on Friday: "I would like to express my gratitude to all of our personnel involved in this extremely complex operation, who worked both night and day this week to minimise the risk of damage and keep the public safe. I also appreciate the public's patience and cooperation."
"This operation's success is a testament to the calibre of skill and knowledge exhibited by our Armed Forces, as well as the courage and tenacity of our personnel when operating in hazardous environments and under tremendous pressure."
"It's been the outcome that everyone wanted," Devon and Cornwall Police Superintendent Phil Williams told Sky News earlier about the bomb's successful retrieval. It goes without saying that everyone is incredibly happy and relieved that folks may go back to their houses.
As planned, it was moved to the slipway, where the military removed it in a boat. As of right now, I think it's just past the breakwater.
"I'm not an expert on that topic, so I don't have all the details, but from what I understand, it will be submerged for about 14 metres before detonating, but the military will now be handling that."
"Logistically, it has been a challenging operation, but everyone has come together." Overall, the public has been excellent.
"We understand that asking them to leave their homes for such a long time has not been easy, but they have been cooperative, and many of them are just happy to be able to return this evening."
Both locally and internationally, the convoy caused a viewing frenzy, with people running to vantage points to catch a peek and others watching via livestreams on the internet.
According to one eyewitness, as the convoy made its way to the ferry slip, about thirty persons noticed an open-backed vehicle carrying enormous rubble bags that were most likely filled with sand.
However, some used the evacuation as a justification to visit the pub. Residents congregated in a pub a mere half a mile from the exclusion zone to partake in an afternoon pint; one man even ventured closer to the area to partake in a cider 'in sympathy'.
In order to reduce the possibility that unfavourable vibrations would cause the device to detonate and cause lethal or catastrophic effects, roads were closed and even rail services were suspended. The bomb was towed to sea, and they were reopened.
"The bomb has gone to sea!" declared Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith on X, formerly Twitter. I appreciate everyone's patience and kind attitude.
Even though thousands of individuals received the general evacuation order text on Friday, Devon and Cornwall Police stated they had not been able to "force" people to leave their houses.
According to a local who is claiming to be inside the cordon, he plans to remain in the bath until the bomb is taken out.
The bomb was dropped into the Channel and will go off after it is safely past Plymouth's breakwater. It was loaded aboard a boat via the Torpoint Ferry slipway in the city's renowned Sound.
"The bomb has now successfully been put into the water and the road closures are being removed," Plymouth Highways stated in a tweet on X at 5:37 p.m.
According to Plymouth City Council, the bomb removal operation was successful, and the cordon is currently being removed.
"We sincerely appreciate your patience, residents of Keyham and the surrounding areas," a spokeswoman stated. The military has informed us that the operation was successful and the device has been taken out of the region.
We may now begin tearing down the barrier so that those who were evacuated can go back to their houses. Please be patient with the workers on the ground as it will take some time to remove all of the road closures.
We would suggest that you try to stagger your journey and not rush because we anticipate heavy traffic returning to the area. Train service has resumed, and bus service will start up again soon. Reminder: Free parking and refreshments are available for anyone affected at the Life Centre, which is still open.
"It will be going very carefully; it will be sitting in a bed of sand probably to keep it as stable," an Army bomb disposal expert stated.
"The railway vibration would require them to halt operations in the area."
Emergency personnel were commended by Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth Moor View, for successfully loading the device onto a container to be towed out to sea.
In his post on X, he expressed his gratitude and admiration for all the law enforcement, coast guard, military, mountain rescue, Plymouth City Council employees, and other volunteers who have dedicated themselves to dealing with the device in Keyham, working nonstop.
"This evening, I anticipate that all 10,000 evacuated residents will return."
The massive bomb, which was dropped by Hitler's Luftwaffe to attack factories and the neighbouring naval base in Plymouth during the Blitz, was discovered by a woman's father who was laying the foundation for his daughter's new one-story addition.
He claims that she moved in just two weeks ago and that the device was discovered lying on its side less than ten feet from her patio doors in aerial photos.
The operation involved well over one thousand volunteers, police, coast guard, and service members. Residents are advised that Plymouth's recreation complex can serve as a safe haven in the event of a bombing.
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