Unexploded Ordnance Safely Cleared from Southsea Seafront

An unexploded ordnance item, which prompted the evacuation of seafront buildings, has been successfully cleared. Security cordons were established in Southsea’s Pier Road vicinity following a police call at 09:37 GMT. A representative from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed that the Blue Reef Aquarium, the D-Day Museum, Clarence Pier, and sections of Southsea Common were evacuated and secured with cordons during the incident. Following the discovery, a substantial police presence was maintained in Southsea; however, police declared the area safe shortly after 21:00. A spokesperson announced: “Our partners in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team have now safely removed the ordnance from the area.” Subsequently, the Southsea cordons were lifted. An eyewitness informed the BBC that a bomb was uncovered by a digger during ongoing coastal defence construction situated between the Blue Reef Aquarium and Hovertravel. MACC International Ltd, a firm specializing in unexploded ordnance risk, has since published photographs of the device on social media. The company indicated that the ordnance was discovered by staff assisting with the coastal sea defence project and was identified as an SC1,000kg air-delivered weapon. Road closures were implemented in October for these defence works, which are scheduled to continue until 2026, and a temporary footpath is available across the common. The eyewitness reported that the unexploded ordnance was located within the construction zone and measures between 4ft to 5ft (1.2m to 1.5m) in length. Police established roadblocks surrounding Southsea Common, advising the public to stay away from the vicinity during the recovery operation. No residential properties required evacuation. The Ministry of Defence has not yet issued a statement regarding the discovery.