Quarry Bay bomb successfully neutralized after 9-hour effort

A 1,000-pound World War II-era bomb discovered at a construction site in Quarry Bay was successfully neutralized by Hong Kong’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team on Saturday morning, allowing thousands of evacuated residents to return home and closed roads to reopen. 

The operation, which began at 2am and concluded at 11.48am, involved carefully cutting into the bomb’s casing and burning its 500 pounds of high-potency TNT explosive in a controlled manner.

The bomb was found at midday on September 19 (Fri) at a construction site located at 16-22 Pan Hoi Street. 

Its discovery prompted the evacuation of 18 commercial and residential buildings, affecting approximately 1,900 households and 6,000 people. 

Authorities also closed Pan Hoi Street between King’s Road and Westlands Road, sealed off exits A and B of Quarry Bay MTR station, and rerouted multiple bus lines to ensure public safety during the operation.

The EOD team faced challenges due to adverse weather conditions overnight, which complicated the process of cutting into the bomb’s casing to access the explosives. 

The procedure required precision to minimize the risk of accidental detonation, especially given the bomb’s location in a densely populated residential area. Protective measures, such as sandbags and water barriers, were meticulously arranged to enhance safety.

The controlled burning of the explosive material was highly destructive, confirming the necessity of handling the bomb on-site rather than attempting to move it, as relocation could have posed significant risks to both the public and the officers involved.

Emergency services were on high alert throughout the operation.

Ambulances were stationed nearby, and five residents who felt unwell were taken to Eastern Hospital for checks, while six others were transported to care facilities. All were reported to be in stable condition.

The successful neutralization of the bomb, which retained its full destructive potential despite being buried for over 80 years, underscored the importance of the careful and immediate response.

By near noon today, the site was declared safe, roads were reopened, and residents were allowed to return home, bringing relief to the Quarry Bay community.