A potential explosive device was discovered near a city center today, leading to the area being cordoned off by police and a 400-meter safety perimeter established.
The incident unfolded in the Millbay district of Plymouth, where the suspected ordnance was located at a construction site on Martin Street. As a precautionary measure, a school and a hotel were evacuated, and residents within the cordoned-off zone were advised to vacate their homes. Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists were called in to handle the situation as the object was unearthed approximately five meters below the surface during construction activities.
Due to the ongoing operation and the established safety perimeter, news coverage is temporarily paused. For real-time updates on breaking news stories, please visit our website.
Millbay Academy has announced its closure for the following day, shifting to remote learning. The local council emphasized that the situation is still a significant incident, with a firm 100-meter cordon surrounding the construction site. Additionally, a ‘line of sight’ cordon spanning 400 meters has been enacted by the police, prompting a limited number of residential properties to evacuate as a precautionary measure.
While evacuation for affected residents is not compulsory, it is strongly advised for their safety. Those impacted are encouraged to seek shelter with friends or family overnight. For those in need of assistance or accommodation, an Evacuation Assembly Point has been set up at Plymouth Cathedral, offering support and information along with light refreshments.
The school near the incident that was evacuated today may remain closed tomorrow, pending further updates for parents. The council assured parents of children at Millbay Academy that they would be kept informed of any developments affecting the school schedule.
Expert teams are currently evaluating the discovered explosive device at the construction site in Millbay, as stated by Plymouth Council. The initial cordon established by the police includes the evacuation of the Moxy Hotel adjacent to the site.
Specialist teams revealed that the object was buried about 4.3 meters deep in natural soil beneath man-made layers. The detection team used a Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) rig to locate the device and subsequently conducted a controlled excavation to expose it. Following this discovery, additional agencies such as the police and the Royal Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team were called in for further assessment.
As the situation unfolds, decisions on whether to detonate the device in place or relocate it rest with the Navy EOD team. Meanwhile, reports indicate the arrival of large sandbags at the location where the device was found.
Millbay Academy expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support received from students, families, staff, and the community. Updates have been directly sent to parents and carers, urging them to stay informed through official channels for the latest information.
Reporter Carl Eve from Plymouth Live provided an on-ground account of the emergency response following the discovery of the suspected bomb. He described road closures and congestion in the city center, with significant police presence managing pedestrian and vehicle traffic around the cordoned-off area.
Recent developments confirm the evacuation of Millbay Academy and the presence of bomb squads at the scene where the suspected device was found. Devon and Cornwall Police have issued a statement urging the public to avoid the area as efforts are made to identify and neutralize the ordnance. The situation is ongoing, with a 100-meter cordon in place along with associated road closures.