Footage from Norfolk police shows the moment the Second World War bomb in Great Yarmouth was detonated.
Smoke was seen across the town and a loud bang erupted throughout the area just before 5pm today (February 10).
All army and emergency service personnel have been accounted for and damage is currently being assessed.
No reports of injuries or casualties have been received.
The unexploded bomb in #GreatYarmouth detonated earlier during work to disarm it. Our drone captured the moment. We can confirm that no one was injured. Public safety has been at the heart of our decision making all the way through this operation, which we know has been lengthy. pic.twitter.com/9SaeYmHkrb
— Norfolk Police (@NorfolkPolice) February 10, 2023
An eyewitness standing 400m away said they could see debris falling after the unplanned explosion this evening.
People living in Hopton, about eight miles away, could still hear the explosion.
This happened shortly after the announcement was made that the final phase of the delicate operation to disarm the bomb was under way.
After reinforcing the blast barrier surrounding the bomb, army specialists revised the original plan to cut the device.
Both the 400m and the 200m cordons have now been lifted with most roads reopened in those locations. Southtown Road remains closed while further checks on damage take place. People who live within those cordons can now also return home.
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