A loud bang has been heard in Kent after a 250kg Second World War bomb, discovered by builders in Bermondsey, was detonated this morning.
Hundreds of homes and a number of schools had to be evacuated after the unexploded German ‘SA’ bomb was discovered at a building site on Monday (March 23).
Last night, the five foot long device - thought to have been dropped by Luftwaffe planes during the Blitz on May 11, 1941 - was made 'safe to transport' after being stabilised.
Some weird motorcade just passed me on Blackheath...loads of Police & odd vehicles.. I wonder if they're really pic.twitter.com/yaUR1q1X5P
— Sh1r McC (@__ShirMcC__) March 24, 2015
It was transported by the army via the A2 to a military-leased quarry in Cliffe, near Rochester.
Photos: Julie Bradley
Although an explosion was expected last night, it was postponed until this morning.
EXPLOSION: Plz don't panic if you hear a loud bang in next few mins. Army due to safely detonate a WWII UXB discovered in London yesterday.
— Kent Police Dartford (@kentpolicedart) March 24, 2015
At around 9am the bomb was detonated, creating a "huge" bang which was heard across north Kent, shaking entire houses.
Well that was a fairly unmistakeable huge bang and thud just heard in Gravesend
— On The Thames (@ThamesPics) March 25, 2015
Just heard a huge bang...That had to be the WW2 bomb.
— Yesteryear (@BygoneMedway) March 25, 2015
Incredibly loud bang in Gravesend. My doors still shaking... wth
— Manny (@MannyB05) March 25, 2015
So the loud bang that shook my house and woke me up was a ww2 bomb ??
— Berniie. (@The_Odd_Ball) March 25, 2015
People from as far wide as Dartford, Bean and Northfleet took to Facebook to react to the explosion.
Karen Scutts said: "I saw a bloke run out of his house and check his building. That was loud."
Eileen Baldwin added: "We heard it too the birds flew out of the trees I am still shaking."
The unexploded WWII Bermondsey bomb has been detonated at a site in Kent pic.twitter.com/jlB2nUugCH
— David Wyllie (@journodave) March 25, 2015
Photos: Ministry of Defence
Following the removal of the ordnance yesterday afternoon, road closures were lifted and an estimated 1,200 people, evacuated from flats in six surrounding housing estates, were allowed back in their homes.
Many had been sleeping in makeshift shelters such as leisure centres.
Meanwhile crews from the London Ambulance Service and Fire Brigade worked together to make the area safe and assist residents.
Did you see the bomb explode? Send your photos and videos to patrickgg@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 01689 885 711.
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