Police, firefighters and Army bomb disposal experts were called to the scene in Bethnal Green following the security alert.
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The 500-pound explosive was discovered at a building site Monday afternoon in the Bethnal Green district of London, the Ministry of Defense said in a news release.
The bomb, thought to weigh between 250kg and 500kg, was found at the junction between Temple Street and Old Bethnal Green Road.
Witnesses at the scene said they had been told the bomb is a metre long and was found buried underground as builders were working in the basement of a home.
We can confirm that 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 on-going incident involving a WWII German aircraft bomb that was discovered earlier today.
The Metropolitan Police warned that “significant traffic disruption” was expected.
The cordoned-off area includes the 20-storey Claredale House, London’s first council high-rise tower, now converted to private apartments.
“We have set up a rest centre in a school nearby, with a full Rest Centre Team enroute”.
Transport for London (TFL) said there was no impact to Tube or overground services, but that four bus routes faced mini-diversions.
“Motorists are advised to use alternative routes to avoid this area where possible”.
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“The surrounding area is now cordoned off to pedestrians and traffic and we are taking advice of police and Fire Brigade and following the council’s Emergency Planning procedure”.
