Bomb disposal experts in Singapore successfully neutralized a significant World War Two aerial bomb, weighing 100 kilograms, on Tuesday. To ensure the safety of the surrounding population, over 4,000 residents living nearby were evacuated from the area. This explosive discovery was considered one of the largest wartime relics ever found in the Southeast Asian city-state.
A video released by the Singapore Army depicted the controlled detonation of the bomb at a construction site, producing a resounding boom. Due to its precarious state, authorities deemed it unsafe to transport the bomb elsewhere, necessitating its on-site disposal by military experts, as confirmed by the police.
Following the successful detonation, comprehensive safety assessments were conducted on nearby buildings and roads. Once it was ascertained that there was no structural damage, residents were permitted to return to their homes, signaling the conclusion of the emergency operation.
Curiously, the authorities did not provide any information about the bomb’s origin or how it came to be buried at the site.
This incident echoes a similar occurrence in 2016 when another 100-kilogram World War Two bomb was discovered and safely disposed of in Singapore. However, at that time, no evacuations of civilians were reported, according to local newspaper The Straits Times.
The handling of these historical explosives highlights Singapore’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents while dealing with remnants of a bygone era. It also underscores the ongoing importance of diligent bomb disposal experts who work to eliminate potential hazards from the past.