The Second World War bomb in Great Yarmouth has been detonated.
Police have confirmed this was not a planned detonation and happened during slow burn work to disarm the explosives.
Smoke has been seen across Great Yarmouth and a loud bang erupted throughout the town just before 5pm today (February 10).
LIVE: Smoke seen across Great Yarmouth as bomb is exploded
All army and emergency service personnel have been accounted for and damage is currently being assessed.
At this time there have been no reports of any physical injuries or casualties into any of the three emergency services call centres or attendees at the local A&E department.
An eyewitness standing 400m away said they could see debris falling after the unplanned explosion this evening.
We can confirm the unexploded World War II bomb in Great Yarmouth has detonated. This was not a planned detonation & happened during slow burn work to disarm the explosives. All army & emergency service personnel are accounted for. We will bring you further info when we have it.
— Norfolk Police (@NorfolkPolice) February 10, 2023
People living in Hopton, about eight miles away, could still hear the explosion.
A local living nearby said their house shook following the blast.
This happened shortly after the announcement was made that the final phase of the delicate operation to disarm the bomb was underway.
After reinforcing the blast barrier surrounding the bomb, army specialists revised the original plan to cut the bomb.
They were using a tried and tested approach in order to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.
Norfolk Constabulary's assistant chief constable Nick Davison and strategic co-ordinating group chair said: “As previously stated, there was always a risk of unintended detonation which is why those mitigation measures had been put in place throughout the operation.
“The device detonated shortly after work had started to disarm the device. The approach had been the safest option to disarm the device, however, it always carried a risk of unintended detonation.
“Thankfully, all personnel have been accounted for and agencies are coming together to assess damage to the river wall.”
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