Bethnal Green bomb: Homes evacuated as army works to diffuse unexploded WW2 explosive

Hundreds of homes were evacuated overnight as officers worked to diffuse the bomb

Emergency services were called to the scene yesterday after the bomb was discovered on a construction site (Mark Baynes / Alamy)

Army officers have been working to diffuse an unexploded Second World War bomb in London.

Hundreds of Bethnal Green residents were evacuated on Monday night and remain locked out of their homes.

The German aircraft bomb had been discovered earlier by contractors at a building site. After authorities were alerted, Ministry of Defence experts worked on the site through the night in a bid to diffuse it.

Ministry of Defence experts have been working to diffuse the bomb since yesterday evening (EPA/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE / HANDOUT)

A hazard zone of 200 metres was secured and local businesses and residential properties were evacuated.

A rest centre was established at Bethnal Green Academy for residents affected by the incident overnight.

Hundreds of residents were evacuated yesterday whilst experts sought to secure the area (Mark Baynes / Alamy)

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: “A specialist military bomb disposal team from 11 EOD Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps, are on site in Bethnal Green and are assisting the police with the ongoing incident involving a World War Two German aircraft bomb.”

The same squadron defused similar historic bombs in Bermondsey and Wembley earlier this year.

With additional reporting Press Association