Authorities disposed of a World War II-era bomb on Saturday after it was discovered in Quarry Bay.
At noon on Friday, a report was received about the unexploded ordnance at a Pan Hoi Street construction site.
Officers of the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau confirmed the bomb was a “cylindrical American aerial bomb from World War II, approximately 150 centimetres in length, weighing about 1,000 pounds and containing 500 pounds of high explosives, posing a significant danger,” according to a Saturday press release.
An evacuation order was enacted across 18 residential and commercial buildings, as experts believed the bomb could still pose a risk.
The Security Bureau deployed 500 personnel from the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Civil Aid Service and the Auxiliary Medical Service in response, and the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre was activated.
According to the press release, 58 fire and ambulance vehicles were mobilised alongside 224 fire and ambulance personnel.
Nineteen temporary shelters to accommodate residents were brought online, with around 450 residents staying in the shelters overnight. In all, 2,887 residents were evacuated.
A government spokesperson thanked the various teams for their response, adding that “the swift, safe and smooth resolution of the bomb disposal situation hinged on the close co-operation of various government departments and their dedication to duty, and the active co-operation and support of Care Teams, community service organisations, as well as the affected citizens.”
Hong Kong was a target during fierce battles between Imperial Japanese and Allied forces in World War II.
