It began as an ordinary Friday in Hong Kong’s Quarry Bay—a bustling district where residential high-rises tower over busy streets and construction cranes dot the skyline. But on September 19, 2025, workers at a construction site made a discovery that would jolt the city back in time: a massive, rusted bomb buried deep beneath the ground, a silent relic from World War II.
Authorities quickly identified the object as a US-made, World War II-era bomb measuring 1.5 meters in length and weighing approximately 450 kilograms. According to Hong Kong police, the device was still “fully functional” and, if mishandled, could have unleashed devastation on a scale rarely seen in modern urban environments. "We have confirmed this object to be a bomb dating back to World War II," said Andy Chan Tin-Chu, a police official, addressing reporters before the tense operation to neutralize the threat. He emphasized the “exceptionally high risks associated with its disposal,” and it was clear the situation demanded swift, decisive action.
As news of the bomb’s discovery spread, a coordinated evacuation effort unfolded overnight. Police and emergency personnel moved quickly to clear the area, urging approximately 1,900 households—totaling around 6,000 individuals—to leave their homes without delay. The evacuation swept through 18 buildings in Quarry Bay, with more than 2,800 residents leaving with direct police assistance, according to reports by AFP and Al Jazeera. The urgency was palpable; few needed reminding of the bomb’s deadly potential, as officials made clear that mishandling the device could have resulted in “mass casualties.”
The operation to defuse the bomb began late on September 20, stretching into the next day. Police and members of the explosive ordnance disposal team—clad in protective gear and operating with methodical precision—worked through the night and into Saturday morning. The entire process lasted until around 11:30 AM local time on September 21. Despite the high stakes and logistical complexity, the operation concluded without injury. The city breathed a collective sigh of relief as authorities declared the area safe and allowed residents to return home.
While startling, such discoveries are not entirely unprecedented in Hong Kong. The city, now a global financial hub, was once a battleground in the fierce Asian campaign of World War II. In December 1941, Hong Kong fell to Japanese forces after days of intense fighting, becoming a crucial base for the Japanese military and shipping operations. The United States and other Allied powers targeted Hong Kong in a series of air raids, aiming to disrupt Japanese supply lines and infrastructure. These bombings left behind a deadly legacy: unexploded ordnance that occasionally resurfaces decades later, hidden beneath layers of urban development.
“Bombs left over from World War II are discovered from time to time in Hong Kong,” reported BBC, highlighting the lingering hazards faced by modern city dwellers. In 2018, for instance, three similar US-made bombs were unearthed in the city’s Wan Chai district, prompting evacuations and large-scale bomb disposal operations. The device found in Quarry Bay this September was of the same type as those discovered seven years prior, underscoring the persistent risks that wartime relics pose to densely populated urban areas.
For many Hong Kong residents, the incident was a stark reminder of the city’s wartime history—a chapter often overshadowed by its rapid postwar transformation. During World War II, Hong Kong endured occupation, deprivation, and destruction. The Allied air raids, intended to cripple Japanese forces, inevitably left behind unexploded bombs that would become part of the city’s subterranean landscape. As construction crews continue to reshape Hong Kong’s skyline, the risk of encountering these buried threats remains ever-present.
The recent evacuation in Quarry Bay was notable not just for its scale but also for the efficiency and coordination displayed by authorities. Police, fire services, and bomb disposal experts worked in tandem to ensure public safety. The evacuation, completed in the early hours of Saturday, was described by officials as orderly and comprehensive. Residents, though inconvenienced and anxious, generally complied with instructions, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Approximately 1,900 households involving 6,000 individuals were urged to evacuate swiftly," said police, reflecting the magnitude of the operation.
The disposal itself was a feat of technical expertise. Bomb disposal teams, accustomed to dealing with such ordnance, approached the task with caution and professionalism. According to Al Jazeera, the bomb was “still fully functional” and could have caused “mass casualties if mishandled.” The operation, expected to take 12 hours, required meticulous planning and execution. In the end, the team’s success was a testament to both their training and the city’s preparedness for such emergencies.
While no injuries were reported and the bomb was safely defused, the incident reignited discussions about the ongoing challenges posed by unexploded ordnance in urban environments. As Hong Kong continues to grow and redevelop, construction projects routinely dig into ground that may still harbor remnants of past conflicts. Each discovery prompts a flurry of activity—evacuations, road closures, and tense hours of bomb disposal work—reminding residents that the scars of war can linger long after the fighting ends.
Historical context adds another layer to the story. Hong Kong’s experience during World War II was marked by both tragedy and resilience. The city’s occupation by Japanese forces was brutal, but the postwar years saw rapid reconstruction and economic growth. Today, Hong Kong stands as a testament to recovery and renewal, yet the occasional discovery of wartime bombs serves as a sobering link to its turbulent past.
In recent years, authorities have taken steps to improve detection and response protocols for unexploded ordnance. Construction companies are required to conduct thorough site surveys, and specialized bomb disposal units are always on standby. Public awareness campaigns have helped educate residents about what to do if they encounter suspicious objects. Still, as the Quarry Bay incident demonstrates, the risk can never be entirely eliminated.
For those who lived through the recent evacuation, the experience was both unsettling and surreal. Many spent the night in temporary shelters or with relatives, anxiously awaiting news. By late Saturday morning, as word spread that the bomb had been safely defused, relief was palpable. Residents returned to their homes, grateful for the professionalism of the bomb disposal teams and the swift action of city officials.
The Quarry Bay bomb scare is now over, but its echoes will linger. It’s a reminder that even in a city defined by progress and modernity, history is never far beneath the surface—sometimes, quite literally. And as Hong Kong continues to build upward and outward, the lessons of the past remain as relevant as ever, urging vigilance, preparedness, and respect for the enduring legacy of conflict.