UK - World War II bomb delays trains

[John Ashworth]

Experts try to defuse wartime bomb found in London

* Press Association
* guardian.co.uk,
* Thursday June 5 2008

A massive unexploded second world war-bomb began to tick as experts worked to defuse it, police said today.

The 1,000kg-device (2,200lb) was found in a river at Sugar House Lane, near Bromley-by-Bow tube station, in east London, on Monday.

Army disposal experts from the Royal Engineers were brought in to make the half-century-old weapon safe.

Police said that at one point during the operation the bomb began to tick, but stopped again when it was doused with liquid.

A 200m exclusion zone has been put up around the scene, causing some delays to travellers in the area and forcing businesses to be evacuated.

Speaking at the scene today, Commander Simon O'Brien said the bomb had also leaked unknown substances.

He said: "This is the largest world war two bomb to be discovered in the past three decades.

"It measures approximately the size and length of a man, and weighs around 1,000kg.

"Royal engineers and partner agencies have been incredibly heroic and have worked extremely hard to defuse the bomb.

"We are all working to resolve this issue with minimum disruption to Londoners as soon as possible."

Police said cordons would remain in place until tomorrow, as work on the bomb continues.

Transport for London said the District and Hammersmith & City tube lines would be suspended at Bromley-by-Bow from 9.30pm tonight until 10am tomorrow.

The train operator C2C said there will be no services from Fenchurch Street after 8.50pm tonight and limited services in the morning.