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A fuse is carefully drilled to make the bomb safe for removal
The narrow trench in which the work had to be conducted
The bomb is finally lifted clear, to be taken away for safe disposal

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from 33 EOD Regiment, Royal Engineers, safely disposed of a Second World War German bomb uncovered at a building site in Sunderland on 14 October.

The SC500 bomb, weighing 500 kgs, was discovered by workmen during excavation in Suffolk Street, Hendon, in Sunderland.  An EOD team from 521 Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps, provided an initial response to the Police request for assistance, and, having identified the device, summoned a team from 33 EOD Regiment, which specialises in the disposal of military ordnance, including wartime bombs.  The task was complicated by the bomb's proximity to a gas main. 

Heavy lifting gear brought north from 33 EOD Regiment's base at Wimbish near Saffron Walden was used to lift the bomb clear on the evening of 16 October, once the fuses had been made safe.  It was then taken to a local beach and destroyed by a controlled explosion at 0125 on 17 October.  The EOD team was led by Captain John Foran, with Warrant Officer Andy Perks as the main Bomb Disposal Officer, supported by Corporal Alastair Livingstone.  Several hundred local residents, who had been evacuated by Police as a precautionary measure, have now been able to return home.

Related items:
> 33 EOD Regiment RE

> Northumbria Police