A potential explosive device has been discovered near a city center today, prompting authorities to secure the area and establish a 400-meter perimeter. The incident is unfolding in the Millbay district of Plymouth, where the suspected ordnance was unearthed at a construction site on Martin Street.
As a safety precaution, a school and hotel were evacuated, and residents within the perimeter were advised to vacate their homes while Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists addressed the buried object, which was found approximately five meters underground during construction activities.
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Millbay Academy has announced its closure for the following day, with a shift to remote learning. The council has affirmed that the situation remains critical, maintaining a firm 100-meter perimeter around the construction site and introducing a 400-meter ‘line of sight’ perimeter as an additional precaution.
While evacuation is not mandatory, residents in properties within the ‘line of sight’ are strongly encouraged to leave for their safety. The council has set up an Evacuation Assembly Point at Plymouth Cathedral to assist those in need of accommodation or support.
The school near the incident that was evacuated today may remain closed tomorrow, pending further updates for parents. The council spokesperson assured that parents of Millbay Academy students will receive direct communication from the school regarding any changes affecting the following day.
Specialized teams are evaluating the discovered explosive at the Millbay construction site to determine the safest approach for neutralization. As a precautionary measure, the police have established an initial cordon, resulting in the evacuation of the Moxy Hotel adjacent to the site.
Vehicles parked within the cordon area, including those at the Brunel Car Park, are inaccessible until the cordon is lifted. The ordnance detection team, Site Investigation and Ordnance Risk Management, employed a Cone Penetration Testing rig to locate the device buried 4.3 meters below ‘natural’ soil beneath man-made materials.
The team has exposed the object and engaged other agencies, such as the police and Royal Navy’s EOD team, for further assistance. The decision on whether to detonate the device in place or relocate it rests with the Navy EOD team.
Witnesses at the scene report the arrival of large sandbags at the discovery site. Millbay Academy expressed gratitude for cooperation and support, assuring that updates will be shared directly with parents and caregivers.
Plymouth Live reporter Carl Eve provides on-site updates following the discovery of the suspected bomb, noting road closures and a 400-meter perimeter in place. Millbay Academy has been evacuated, and various establishments are affected. Police and specialist teams are actively managing the situation, diverting traffic and pedestrians away from the scene.
