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Second World War bomb which caused commuter chaos has been diffused
Last updated at 17:42pm on 06.06.08
An unexploded Second World War bomb which forced the closure of a number of transport routes in the capital was defused today.
Army experts worked to disarm the 2,000lb UXB faced delays after discovering metal used to make the Second World War device was thicker than expected.
This morning, however, military engineers managed to cut through the casing of the bomb, which measures 5ft by 2ft, enabling them to begin 'steaming' the explosive inside to make it safe.
Effort: Army experts' machines and the unexploded bomb in East London
Commuters faced the prospect of more Tube chaos, however, as lines near the danger area were closed.
The bomb, which is lying on a gas main just 50 yards from the main sewage pump for east London, was unearthed by a mechanical digger on Monday in the banks of the Lea in Bromley-by-Bow near the Olympic site.
Construction workers made the discovery while widening the bank to take barges for the 2012 Games village construction.
It had lain dormant there for more than 60 years.
Military engineers have cut through the casing of the World War II bomb in East London, enabling them to begin making it safe
The Army encased the bomb in a sand and wood 'igloo' to contain a blast should it go off. It started to tick and ooze liquid when experts tried to disarm it.
One Royal Engineer was sent back repeatedly to the ticking device to 'freeze it' by pouring a salt solution on to it. He used a powerful magnet to stop its timer.
Workers from nearby offices - including a film studio - were evacuated yesterday.
The District and Hammersmith and City lines between Whitechapel and Plaistow, were closed last night while experts worked to diffuse the bomb.
The C2C line to and from Fenchurch Street was operating limited services today and rush-hour trains were crammed with delayed passengers.
Harassed rail staff were besieged with questions over timetable changes.
Close up: The bomb was unearthed from a river bank by a mechanical digger
Jeremy Hodges, a 33-year-old London Underground operation manager, said: 'I come in from Laindon but all the local services that start there were cancelled.
'I couldn’t get on the first two through trains that had started in Shoeburyness because they were jam-packed.
'I just managed to get on the third and I’m 45 minutes late for work.'
Ben Griffiths, a 28-year-old advertising executive, said: 'I’m really late for a TV shoot in Upminster. The scheduled departure from here didn’t leave at the time we expected and now we have to spend 45 minutes getting a Tube or grab a taxi.'
Exclusion zone: police keep streets clear near the bomb site today
Maria Donald, a 30-year-old trainee fitness instructor, was distraught because she was going to miss a key test for her fitness diploma.
She said: 'I didn’t realise there would still be so much disruption this morning. My exam is going to be over by the time I get there.'
Lynn Lambart, a 47-year-old secretary from Basildon, said: 'Today I got the 9.15. You couldn’t get a seat for love nor money, people were squished right up against each other.'
One staff member said: 'There have been a lot of angry, confused people here this morning. It’s difficult when people’s travels arrangements are mucked up and they don’t understand.'
A map shows the area in east London where the Blitz bomb lies
Reader views (20)
That really takes me back, it seems only yesterday since all those bombs fell on London. I agree 100% with the earlier contributor, thank goodness we still have brave men who are prepared to this very dangerous job, Well done, lads!!
- Henry Dallimore, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA
I agree with Tim Castle totally. Also I got a day off on Friday and so I am not complaining one bit.
- Mandy Dempsey, London, England
To those whingers whining on about how a bomb made them late, buck up and think of the sacrifice made by our forefathers at the time this was dropped, especially at the Anniversary of the Normandy Landings and be thankful that brave men and women still volunteer to keep them safe.
- Tim Castle, Eastbourne, England
An excellent example of why we need soldiers, it's not just Iraq and Afghanistan, but support in all sorts of emergencies at home. Well done guys.
- Rr, Essex, UK
I'm still hoping there is one under No 10 Downing Street
- Simon F, Newcastle upon Tyne
Anyone remember the TV series Danger UXB? Time to bring it out of the archives perhaps? Well done to the bomb explosives men for dealing with it.
- Lindy, London NW3
Peter Haldane - I've probably posted no more than two comments in the past year, but, well said, exactly what I was thinking.
And about time there was a humble thanks from all of us to the "Royal Engineer ... sent back repeatedly" and their like.
We'll never probably know who these people are - and they probably did it without a thought to anyone ever knowing anyway.
But a BIG heartfelt thanks for their selfless, ordinary-pay bravery all the same
- C, London, London, UK
I think the bomb was definitely 'diffused' after the controlled explosion but that the word you were trying to use was 'defused'.
- Rich, Leyton
Those Royal Engineers are brave men to whom we should be grateful.
Thank you
- Cam, Essex
Good job it wasn't "diffused" (that means spread around)! Thank goodness it was defused.
- S Foxcroft, Market Harborough
Idiots complaining about being late for their work should have volunteered to help . . . by shutting up . . . and letting a few brave folk crack on with their job making lives a bit safer!
- Mike Edwin, Glasgow
Diffused? I hope not!! I'd rather it be defused!
- Peter, Woking, UK
Who can't spell and who can't proof read? Should say defused not diffused.
- Jan, Luton, UK
Defused, surely?
- Paul Galpin, Newbury, Berkshire
I felt what was left of the bomb go off at about 1758. I'm about a mile away and the house shook, I can only imagine what it must have been like to live through night after night of those things going off (when they were full of explosives!).
- Daniel Mullin, Poplar London
It's defused!!
Diffused is something else entirely.I blame the comprehensive system!
- Nick Warren, Cheshire
For once the railways have a good excuse! Better late to work than late, period.
- Nigel, London
The German pilots use the River Lee as a pointer to the docks in the blackout- the water would reflect a silvery trail and make it easy to bomb the warehouses downriver. Or perhaps the pilot was low on fuel and simply dropped his load anywhere, North Norfolk is pock marked with craters from this practise. The funny thing is, the bomb looks in fairly good nick!
- Hans Datdoodishes, Leytonstone
Lucky they don't still film Big Brother at Three Mills, this seems to literally right on top almost of where the house used to be until it moved west. Now that would have caused a commotion and national upset, no Big Brother; people may have to do something constructive (ha ha) !
- Rob Kerr, glasgow
Commuter misery? Get real. Someone has to walk towards this thing and deal with it and commuters should be thankful that people still come forward who are prepared to do it.
- Peter Haldane, London
