German UXB Discovered in Newtownards, County Down
On Friday 16th August, a suspected 500kg Unexploded Bomb (UXB) was discovered at a residential development in the Rivenwood area of Newtownards, County Down.
Newtownards was bombed by the Luftwaffe on the night of 15th – 16th April 1941 during the Belfast Blitz. The local airfield Royal Air Force (RAF) Newtonwards was the primary target.
On Sunday 18th August, police established an exclusion zone and more than 400 homes were evacuated. An Army bomb disposal unit is currently preparing to destroy the device in a controlled explosion.
We will provide further updates as events develop.
Police have established a 400m exclusion zone around the UXB (Belfast Live).
The 500kg UXB in situ (Belfast Live).
