A BOMB dropped by the Nazis during the Second World War was exploded after it was discovered by workers on a construction site.
A large 500-metre cordon was put in place and the c2c line between Grays and Pitsea was closed temporarily for more than three hours this afternoon after workers discovered the unexploded wartime bomb on the site.
The discovery was made after being uncovered by ongoing construction work off Station Road in Tilbury, at around 11.30am on Tuesday, with a police cordon instantly set up.
Numerous options were considered as experts from the Ministry of Defence painstakingly assessed the ordnance before the decision was taken to safely detonate the device this afternoon.
It was found to be a 250kg bomb dropped by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War, which had remained hidden underground for decades.
Chief Superintendent Scott Egerton said: “Specialists considered a number of options to make this device safe.
“It was decided detonation of the device at the scene was preferable to making an attempt to move it.
“This decision was taken with the full and continuing consideration of the safety of the public as the number one priority.
“This operation required partnership working across a number of agencies, including Essex Police, the MOD bomb disposal experts, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, East of England Ambulance Service, rail and power network companies and councils.
“This coordinated response ensured the efficient and safe disposal of this device with the minimum disruption possible.”
The cordon put in place was lifted by 3.30pm. As a crucial precaution, a temporary closure of the railway line between Grays and Pitsea was implemented from 12pm until 3pm.
Despite being lifted by 3pm, the closure has caused disruption on the c2c line between London and Southend into the early evening.
A number of roads around the site were also forced to close during the controlled explosion, including Station Road, Church Road, Coopers Shaw Road and Fort Road.
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