Unexploded WWII bomb in southwestern UK transported to sea for detonation

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - A WWII-era bomb, found in the southwestern English port city of Plymouth, was taken out to the sea Friday for safe detonation.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the bomb that was found in a garden in Plymouth has been safely transferred to the sea.

A 300-meter-long (656-foot-long) cordon was set up around the disposal route while thousands of residents were evacuated.

Residents received an emergency alert to leave parts of Keyham and Devonport early Friday while the bomb was transported through the city.

The 500-kilogram (1,102-pound) bomb caused measures believed to be one of the largest UK peacetime evacuations since WWII as more than 10,300 residents vacated the city and 4,300 properties cordoned off.

"We have been notified by the military that operation has been a success and the bomb has been removed from the area," police said in a statement, adding the cordon also has been lifted and residents who have been evacuated were told that they can return homes.

In recent days, bomb disposal experts from the army and navy have been assessing the device to determine with partners the best possible approach for its disposal.

The bomb is expected to be detonated in control late Friday or Saturday.

Defense Secretary Grant Shapps thanked personnel who worked on the operation.