On September 19, a 1.5-meter-long, 1,000-pound World War II-era American ANM65 bomb was found at the construction site at 16-22 Pan Hoi Street, Quarry Bay. Approximately 6,000 residents from 18 nearby buildings were urgently evacuated. The police, Fire Services Department, Home Affairs Department, Civil Aid Service, and Care Teams worked overnight to assist the affected residents in an orderly evacuation.
The police's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team began bomb disposal operations at 2 am and completed the task in about nine hours. Residents were allowed to return home, and closed roads were reopened.
Many affected citizens expressed satisfaction with the government's crisis management and efficiency. Chief Executive John Lee commended the police for their effective evacuation efforts, highlighting the high quality of Hong Kong citizens and the support from volunteers.
The evacuation was completed in just over three hours, with drones used to broadcast evacuation messages. Five individuals with health issues were transported to the hospital in the East District, and six others were relocated to care facilities.
Increased Uncertainty Due to Severe Weather
The EOD team faced difficulties due to inclement weather, including heavy rain and strong winds. They worked meticulously to minimize the risk of accidental detonation while cutting a one-foot hole to access the bomb's explosives. Despite the challenges, the operation was completed ahead of the initial 12-hour target.
Senior Bomb Disposal Officer Suryanto Lee stated that the explosive power of the bomb is comparable to that of WWII-era explosives. If not handled properly, any accidental detonation could have catastrophic consequences. He emphasized that relocating the bomb poses safety risks not only to transport workers and police officers but also to residents and road users. Therefore, the EOD team's training and equipment are designed to manage the situation on-site, minimizing danger to the public.
The EOD team ultimately completed the bomb disposal operation at 11:48 am yesterday (Sept. 20). Although the severe weather affected the progress and the cutting of the bomb took longer than expected, the operation was still completed in less time than the police's original target of 12 hours.
Mobilization of Nearly 500 Personnel for Emergency Response
The Security Bureau swiftly mobilized nearly 500 personnel from various departments for the emergency response, coordinating efforts to ensure public safety. The fire department deployed 58 fire and ambulance vehicles, along with 224 firefighters and paramedics, positioning a team of firefighters at the intersection of Westlands Road and Pan Hoi Street. Firefighting equipment was strategically stationed for readiness.
To support the EOD team's cutting operation, the fire department also dispatched a disaster response rescue team to address any potential risks and assisted in the large-scale evacuation of residents from the 18 nearby buildings, while a special support team was deployed to ensure the safe evacuation of residents from Sunway Gardens and Westlands Court.
(Source: Ta Kung Pao)
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Quarry Bay WWII bomb: Bomb safely defused, residents allowed to return home
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