LONDON: 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.
Travelers 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.
London City Airport closed after WWII bomb found
London City Airport closed after WWII bomb found
Somali forces retake island overrun by militants
- Kuday Island, which is around 130 km southwest of Kismayo, was liberated from Al-Shabab in early 2015 by members of the Kenyan Defense Forces and the Somali National Army
MOGADISHU: Regional forces in Somalia said they had taken back control of a strategic island, a day after it was overrun by heavily armed Al-Shabab militants.
Al-Shabab stormed Kuday Island in the southern state of Jubaland on Wednesday in a bid to retake an area that was once an operational base for the group.
The local Jubaland administration said in a statement that its troops, backed by federal special forces, had fought for more than 24 hours on Kuday “and thwarted the ambitions of the enemy after fully eliminating their remnants today.”
It said at least 59 insurgents were killed and 42 injured, “while 10 of their battle vehicles mounted with heavy machine guns were destroyed.”
Locals confirmed the retaking of the island.
“We heard the sound of several heavy explosions this morning. Heavy fighting resumed on Kuday Island, and Shabab fighters were forced out. There was an airstrike in which several vehicles belonging to the Shabab were destroyed,” Abdi Illaan, a resident on the nearby island of Madhawa, said by phone, confirming information from other local residents.
Mohammed Hassan, a member of the Jubaland forces, said Somali special forces provided air support.
“The situation in Kudhaa has returned to normal now,” he said
Kuday Island, which is around 130 km southwest of Kismayo, was liberated from Al-Shabab in early 2015 by members of the Kenyan Defense Forces and the Somali National Army.
