Authorities in Hong Kong ordered the evacuation of approximately 6,000 residents and workers from Quarry Bay on Friday evening after construction workers uncovered a 1,000-pound unexploded American aerial bomb from World War II. The potentially lethal relic, found at a construction site on Pan Hoi Street, has prompted an urgent overnight bomb disposal operation, police said.
The device, containing roughly 500 pounds of explosives, is similar to a bomb unearthed in 2018 during construction of the Sha Tin to Central Link. Eastern District Commander Andy Chan described it as “functional and extremely dangerous,” necessitating an on-site disposal rather than removal due to the high risk involved.
“We have no choice but to activate an emergency evacuation plan,” Chan said at a press briefing. Residents and businesses in 18 nearby residential and commercial buildings must vacate by 11 p.m., with the disposal operation set to begin at 2 a.m. Authorities aim to neutralize the bomb within 12 hours.
Senior bomb disposal officer Suryanto Chin-chiu outlined the delicate procedure, which may involve cutting through the bomb’s casing and burning off the explosives inside. Detonating the device on-site was ruled out due to its proximity to residential buildings.
“If we underestimate the risk, its destructive power—designed for wartime devastation—could cause massive casualties and damage,” Suryanto warned. “Detonation is not an option, as it would severely impact nearby structures.”
The evacuation has disrupted one of Hong Kong’s bustling districts, with police cordoning off streets and assisting residents, including the elderly and disabled, to temporary shelters. Local businesses, from restaurants to offices, have shuttered for the night.
The discovery underscores the lingering dangers of unexploded ordnance from World War II, a period when Hong Kong saw intense fighting. Similar finds have periodically disrupted urban development in the city, requiring meticulous and high-stakes interventions by bomb disposal experts.
Authorities have urged calm and compliance with evacuation orders, emphasizing that safety is the top priority. “We are working to resolve this as quickly and safely as possible,” Chan said.
