Thousands of people were evacuated from a northern suburb of Paris while a World War II bomb was rendered safe on Sunday. Residents in Colombes living within a 450-meter radius of where the device was found last month were told by police to leave their homes by 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT), as authorities carried out a bomb disposal operation. An initial attempt to remove the device's detonator failed, French media reports, prompting authorities to destroy the historic munition in situ with a controlled explosion. The operation was 'carried out successfully' and the evacuation order was lifted by early on Sunday evening, confirmed the Préfet des Hauts-de-Seine in a statement. The bomb was discovered on April 10 during construction work on Rue des Champarons. Authorities secured the site and covered the device with sand while preparations were made for its removal. Ahead of the operation, local official Alexandre Brugère stated it would be 'risky' and required a 'high level of preparation.' Nearly 800 police officers were deployed to enforce the 900-meter-wide evacuation zone, while a second, wider zone extending a kilometer from the bomb's location allowed residents to remain indoors but restricted outdoor activity. Locals received emergency alerts instructing them to leave and were advised they would not be allowed to return until the operation had been completed. 'The authorities told us to close our windows and shutters when we left the house, but we didn't take anything - we left everything as it was,' one local told newspaper Le Parisien. Reception centers were also set up for those forced to leave their homes, including support for vulnerable residents requiring medical assistance. Bomb disposal experts conducted the controlled detonation at 15:20 on Sunday, and the evacuation order was lifted shortly after 16:00. Undetonated WWII bombs continue to be found across Europe, even 86 years after the war began. Those uncovered in urban areas often pose a greater risk due to the thick population surrounding them. Numerous bombs have been found in recent years in London, resulting in the evacuation of tourist hotspots and even temporary closures of London City Airport.
Emergency in Paris: Thousands Evacuated for WWII Bomb Disposal
Emergency in Paris: Thousands Evacuated for WWII Bomb Disposal
A remarkable evacuation in the Paris suburb of Colombes happened as authorities safely detonated a World War II bomb discovered during construction. Residents were forced to leave their homes as bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion.
On Sunday, thousands of residents in Colombes, a northern suburb of Paris, were evacuated as authorities dealt with a World War II bomb found during construction work. The bomb was detonated safely in a controlled operation after an initial removal attempt failed. The evacuation zone stretched 900 meters around the site, with nearly 800 police officers ensuring safety. The operation concluded successfully, allowing residents to return by the evening.
