UPDATE: Two WWII bombs found in separate locations in Devon successfully detonated at sea

Two WWII bombs discovered on the same day in Plymouth and Exmouth have been successfully removed and destroyed at sea.

The German SC50 bomb found in Millbay Road, Plymouth, was removed by Royal Navy bomb disposal experts and transported in a military convoy to King Point Marina.  It was then taken to sea and detonated in the early hours of Friday morning.

The second bomb in Exmouth, reported to be much larger, was taken out to sea at high tide and detonated at around 08:13am.

The Exmouth bomb discovered during dredging operations

Cordons have now been lifted and residents allowed to return to their homes.

Speaking to reporters, Colonel Darren Fisher explained “having to X-ray and trying to understand the types of fuze that was in both those devices was key.”

“Really the complexity of the task was the state in which those devices were and also the positioning in which they were found by the operators to identify that fuze.”

He congratulated the swift action of the security services and the success of both operations.

The unprecedented discovery of both bombs occurred on Wednesday morning.  Further analysis will follow.