Serbian police destroys WWII bomb in centre of Belgrade

Serbian police and the Sector for Emergencies successfully destroyed a recently uncovered aerial bomb left over from the Second World War on Sunday in the centre of Belgrade.

The controlled detonation of the bomb was announced by an emergency siren on Sunday morning, followed by a damp sound, mild shock and thick smoke as the 250 kg of device's charge exploded underground.

The press release of the Interior Ministry said that maximum security measures were taken to protect residents and passersby in a 500-meter-perimeter around the detonation site near Belgrade's main bus and railway stations, as well as the highway.

Because of this, the traffic in the surrounding streets was suspended, while the nine-meter-deep hole in which the bomb was found was covered with sand that absorbed the shock from the explosion and prevented the spread of unwanted debris.

People were asked to stay in their apartments during the operation, with window shutters closed, and to move their vehicles outside the danger zone.

The 70-year-old, 500 kg bomb was found on Friday by the company appointed to perform construction works at the Belgrade Waterfront, a modern settlement being built along the Sava River in Belgrade, and had to be immediately destroyed.

Police said "the bomb was in a state that prevented it from being destroyed at another location, transported or moved in any way". Endit