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BRITAIN-AVIATION
London City Airport closed after WWII bomb found
LONDON, Feb 12, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – London City Airport announced its closure
on Sunday after a World War Two bomb was discovered in the nearby River
Thames.
The ordnance was discovered in King George V Dock, close to the runway of
London’s most central airport, during planned works.
“A 214m (234-yard) exclusion zone has been implemented as a precaution by
the Met Police. As a result, London City Airport is currently closed,” the
airport said in a statement.
Travellers were told to avoid the airport: “All passengers due to travel
from London City on Monday are advised to contact their airline for further
information.”
City Airport operates short-haul flights and is located in east London,
close to the Canary Wharf business district.
The Metropolitan Police said the discovery was reported before dawn on
Sunday, at around 0500 GMT, and the exclusion zone was put in place at 2200
GMT.
The decision was taken “to ensure that the ordnance can be safely dealt
with whilst limiting any risk to the public,” police said in a statement.
The unexploded ordnance is being dealt with by specialist police officers
working alongside the Royal Navy.
Thousands of bombs were dropped on London during the “Blitz” by German Air
Forces between September 1940 and May 1941.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0825 hrs