WW2 bomb discovery triggers emergency evacuations in Plymouth and Exmouth

Emergency services were called into action after suspected unexploded World War Two bombs were discovered at separate sites in Devon, prompting precautionary evacuations and safety cordons.

In Plymouth, construction workers uncovered what is believed to be historic ordnance near the city centre, including the Millbay area. Police quickly established a cordon and evacuated nearby residents and businesses as a precaution. Devon and Cornwall Police said the measure was taken to ensure public safety while specialist teams assessed the object.

Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units were deployed to examine the device. Residents were moved to safe locations, and road closures were put in place to limit access to the area. Authorities later confirmed that no injuries were reported and that the evacuation was carried out safely and calmly.

A similar incident was reported at Exmouth Marina, where a suspected unexploded bomb was found during work at a development site near the waterfront. Emergency services again responded by clearing the immediate area, advising marina users and nearby residents to leave while the device was investigated. Coastguard teams were also involved due to the proximity of the site to the water.

Local councils and police forces issued regular updates, stressing that such discoveries, while disruptive, are not uncommon in parts of south-west England that were heavily bombed during the Second World War. Plymouth in particular was a frequent target of air raids, and unexploded ordnance is still occasionally found during construction projects decades later.

In both cases, officials reassured the public that the situations were being handled according to established safety procedures. Once the devices were assessed and made safe, cordons were expected to be lifted and residents allowed to return. Investigations into the exact nature of the ordnance remain ongoing.