London: City Airport closed after WWII bomb found
The unexploded ordnance was discovered in King George V Dock, during planned works near the runway of Londons most central airport. Photo: AFP
(AFP) - London City Airport was closed on Monday as military experts worked to remove a World War II bomb found in the neighbouring dock.
The unexploded ordnance was discovered in King George V Dock, during planned works near the runway of London’s most central airport.
The bomb was discovered at around 5:00am (0500 GMT) on Sunday and a 214-metre exclusion zone was imposed “to ensure that the ordnance can be safely dealt with whilst limiting any risk to the public,” police said.
Homes within the exclusion zone were evacuated overnight and the local authority was providing residents with temporary accommodation and support.
Second World War ordnance has been found in the Thames in Newham. LondonCityAir is closed and road cordons remain in place whilst the Met royalnavy work together to remove it. Follow metpoliceuktfltravelalerts for updates. https://t.co/zOIUpGftvl
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) February 12, 2018
Police remained at the scene on Monday.
“The operation to remove the ordnance is ongoing in partnership with our colleagues in the Royal Navy,” London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
UPDATED: Second World War ordnance found in the Thames by @LondonCityAir - road cordons in place and a number of nearby properties have been evacuated overnight as work at the site continues https://t.co/fhHEwMAMVe
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 12, 2018
City Airport operates short-haul flights and is located in east London, close to the Canary Wharf business district.
It is the capital’s fifth-biggest airport.
“The airport remains closed this morning,” said its chief executive Robert Sinclair.
“All flights in and out of London City on Monday are cancelled. I urge any passengers due to fly today not to come to the airport and to contact their airline for further information.”
STATEMENT from Robert Sinclair, CEO of London City Airport: “The airport remains closed this morning following the discovery of a World War Two ordnance in King George V Dock on Sunday. (1/3)
— London City Airport (@LondonCityAir) February 12, 2018
All flights in and out of London City on Monday are cancelled and an exclusion zone is in place in the immediate area. I urge any passengers due to fly today not to come to the airport and to contact their airline for further information. (2/3)
— London City Airport (@LondonCityAir) February 12, 2018
I recognise this is causing inconvenience for our passengers, and in particular some of our local residents. The airport is cooperating fully with the Met Police and Royal Navy and working hard to safely remove the device and resolve the situation as quickly as possible.” (3/3)
— London City Airport (@LondonCityAir) February 12, 2018
London was heavily bombed during the “Blitz”, the Nazi German air attacks of September 1940 to May 1941.
London City Airport opened in 1987 in the disused docklands. It handled 4.5 million passengers in 2017 and is mainly used by business travellers.
