Residents of two Devon towns faced an extraordinary disruption on January 14, 2026, after the discovery of suspected World War II-era bombs triggered major emergency responses in both Plymouth and Exmouth. The incidents, which unfolded almost simultaneously, led to widespread evacuations, school and hotel closures, and a heavy presence of bomb disposal teams and emergency services, according to reports from BBC, Plymouth Live, and the Daily Express.
In Plymouth, the drama began late Wednesday morning when construction workers at a building site on Martin Street, in the Millbay area, unearthed an unfamiliar object during deep excavation work. The item, later confirmed by specialist firm S.I UXO as a German SC50 bomb weighing approximately 50kg, was found 4.3 meters beneath the surface, buried in natural soil beneath layers of man-made material. The discovery was made using Cone Penetration Testing—a method that pushes a cone into the ground to assess soil properties, as detailed by Plymouth Live.
Once the ordnance was exposed, the construction team immediately halted work and alerted authorities. Devon and Cornwall Police responded swiftly, setting up an initial 100-meter cordon around the site. As more details emerged about the bomb’s potential danger, the cordon was expanded to 400 meters, creating a ‘line of sight’ safety perimeter that encompassed residential properties, businesses, and a local school.
Plymouth City Council issued a statement, saying, “This continues to be a major incident. A 100 meter firm cordon remains in place around the construction site. However, in addition the police have introduced a 400 meter ‘line of sight’ cordon. This means that a small number of residential properties along Millbay Road, that are considered to be in direct line of sight of the device have been advised to evacuate. Although evacuation is not mandatory, residents in the affected properties are strongly advised to leave their homes for their own safety.” The council encouraged residents to make arrangements to stay with friends or family overnight while the device was made safe.
The impact was immediate and far-reaching. The Moxy Hotel, which adjoins the construction site, was evacuated, with the council cautioning that vehicles parked within the cordon—including those in the Brunel Car Park—could not be accessed or removed until the area was declared safe. Millbay Academy, a school with over 500 pupils, was also evacuated. Parents and guardians were asked to collect their children at St Mary and St Boniface Cathedral, which had been set up as an evacuation assembly point. The school later confirmed it would remain closed the following day, transitioning to remote learning as a precaution.
David Salvage, who picked up his grandchild from the cathedral, reflected the community’s calm response: “Everyone has been calm, there’s been no difficulty at all. We normally go for a coffee and an ice cream, but we’ll have to miss that today,” he told BBC.
Meanwhile, authorities worked tirelessly to keep the public informed and safe. Police and council workers managed road closures, diverted traffic, and escorted residents from their homes. The local MP, Luke Pollard, urged drivers to avoid the area and noted that parking enforcement had been temporarily suspended in affected zones to ease the burden on displaced residents. “This is an ongoing issue and I am in touch with the council and the police,” Pollard said.
As the Royal Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team assessed the device, large sandbags were delivered to the site as a precaution. A spokesperson for the bomb disposal crew explained that the next steps depended on further analysis: “There was a man made layer and under that a natural layer—that’s where the object is. Now it’s for the EOD team to determine whether to blow it in situ or move it.” The incident was expected to keep the area locked down overnight, with authorities stressing that safety remained the top priority.
While Plymouth grappled with its emergency, a separate but eerily similar event was unfolding in Exmouth, another Devon town. There, a suspected unexploded ordnance was dredged from the waters of Exmouth Marina, prompting police to establish a 400-meter cordon and evacuate properties in the vicinity. A bomb disposal team from the Midlands was deployed to assess the device, as reported by BBC.
Exmouth Sports Centre was opened to provide temporary shelter for those displaced, with Councillor Paul Arnott, leader of East Devon District Council, acknowledging the anxiety gripping the community: “We understand this is an unsettling situation for local residents, and we thank everyone for their patience and cooperation.”
Residents described the sudden upheaval. Dan Blackett, who lives on the seafront, recounted, “For a few hours we weren’t sure whether the police cordon was going to get extended, and then I went out and saw a police officer… and he said it’s go time, so now we’re packing up to leave.” Another resident, Ashley Rosier, expressed disbelief at the proximity of the danger: “It’s fairly shocking that they found a bomb, literally right behind the restaurant where we were going. Let’s hope it doesn’t cause any other issues.”
Emergency services—including firefighters, police, and council workers—were on hand to manage the evacuation and enforce the cordon. John Cameron, another Exmouth resident, observed the operation from his hotel room, noting the size of the object retrieved from the marina: “I could see the dredger in the marina, with a large object about 3-4ft in length and 2ft in diameter onboard the vessel.”
Across both towns, the response showcased the coordination and professionalism of local authorities, emergency services, and military bomb disposal experts. In Plymouth, the Royal Navy’s Devonport-based team took the lead, while Exmouth relied on a unit from the Midlands. The rapid establishment of evacuation centers and clear communication with the public helped minimize panic and ensure safety.
Looking back, the events of January 14, 2026, served as a stark reminder of the long shadow cast by past conflicts—where remnants of war can still surface unexpectedly, even in the heart of bustling communities. For the residents of Plymouth and Exmouth, the day ended with gratitude for the swift action of those charged with keeping them safe, and a renewed appreciation for the quiet heroics that often unfold behind the police cordon tape.
