Overview
- Exmouth declared a major incident after a very large German WWII bomb was dredged from the marina, with the safety cordon widened from 400m to 600m and the marina closed to all vessel movements.
- East Devon District Council reports evacuations now affecting up to 2,500 homes and an estimated 5,000 people, with officials warning many residents are unlikely to return today.
- In Plymouth’s Millbay area, contractors identified the device as a Luftwaffe SC50, and residents who returned last night may face further short evacuations during render‑safe work.
- Bomb disposal operations paused overnight as Royal Navy EOD and police await specialist X‑ray equipment that will be used to assess both devices and determine the safest approach.
- Local impacts include school and hotel closures in Plymouth and multi‑agency support for evacuees, with authorities preparing for a controlled removal to sea once assessments conclude.