WWII German bomb discovered detonated evacuating 400 homes with explosion heard for miles

Residents are free to return to their homes today after an area of Co Down was cleared out to perform a controlled explosion on a World War II bomb.

Construction workers in Newtownards discovered the explosive device last week. Upon investigation, it was determined to be a 500kg (1,100lb) air-dropped SC-500 - a German bomb that was likely dropped during World War II but did not detonate.

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The 83-year-old device posed a significant threat to public safety , according to Superintendent Johnson McDowell. He called it a "highly complex operation" with a disposal team comprised of members of the Army's 321 EOD and search squadron.

Police and British Army bomb experts were at the scene. Munitions experts created a sand-filled structure before triggering the controlled explosion to reduce any harm.

The bomb was detonated in a controlled explosion on Tuesday, at 3.38pm. Despite evacuating 400 homes in the surrounding area, the sound of the explosion and the grey smoke could be seen and heard for miles.

Northern Ireland was a target for German aircrafts during the second world war, particularly Belfast for its shipyards and factories. It suffered devastating damage.

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