Hong Kong police reported that the bomb was found at a construction site on Pan Hoi Street in Quarry Bay on the afternoon of 19/9. The police's explosives disposal unit said the 450 kg, 1.5 m long bomb was a World War II relic, likely dropped by a US aircraft during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong.
Eastern District Chief Inspector Andy Chan Tin-chu stated that the bomb was "still in good condition" and posed a "high risk." Authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of 6,000 people from 18 buildings surrounding the site on the night of 19/9.
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The bomb discovered at the construction site in Hong Kong on 19/9. Photo: NBC News |
The bomb discovered at the construction site in Hong Kong on 19/9. Photo: NBC News
The bomb disposal process began this morning and is expected to last 12 hours. Experts plan to cut open the bomb's casing and then use fire to burn the explosives inside without causing detonation. They also placed sandbags and water bags around the area to minimize the impact of a potential explosion.
Around 35 community support teams were deployed to assist residents in finding temporary accommodation in hotels or community centers.
Chief Inspector Chan Tin-chu emphasized that public safety is the top priority. "We have carefully considered all factors and must dispose of the bomb on-site. People are asked to remain calm and not panic," he said.
The Hong Kong Fire Services Department also dispatched two fire engines, two ambulances, and a mobile rescue unit to the scene, along with a firefighting robot and a command vehicle for coordination.
Unexploded bombs have been discovered several times in Hong Kong. In 2018, a similar bomb was found in Wan Chai. Another bomb weighing nearly one ton was discovered in Happy Valley in 2014.
Thanh Danh (NBC News)
