World War II Aerial Bomb Discovered in Singapore: Controlled Disposal Planned

World War II Aerial Bomb Discovered in Singapore: Controlled Disposal Planned

Discovery of the Bomb

On Tuesday, September 26, bomb disposal specialists from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are set to carry out an on-site disposal of a 100kg World War II aerial bomb. The bomb was discovered at the construction site of the Myst condominium on Upper Bukit Timah Road. The discovery was confirmed by the area’s Member of Parliament, who also serves as Foreign Affairs Minister. The police were alerted to the bomb’s presence on September 20 during excavation works. The SAF’s explosive ordnance disposal team evaluated that it would be unsafe to move the bomb.

Preparations for Disposal

To facilitate the on-site controlled disposal, a 200m cordon will be placed around the bomb. Some roads in the area will be closed from 8 am to 7 pm to provide a safe environment for the disposal operation. The police have taken necessary precautions by informing residents, businesses, and a nearby school to evacuate their buildings during the operation. Specifically, residents of The Linear, Hazel Park, Bukit 828, Block 154 Gangsa Road, Hazel Park Terrace, and those residing in shophouses at 778 to 822 Upper Bukit Timah Road will need to vacate their buildings.

Impact on School and Road Traffic

Greenridge Secondary School will also be affected by the disposal operation, with staff and students switching to home-based learning for the day. Road closures will include stretches of the Bukit Panjang Flyover between Woodlands Road and Petir Road, as well as Upper Bukit Timah Road, from Petir Road to Cashew Road from 11 am to 7 pm. This disruption to road traffic is necessary to ensure the safety of the public during the operation.

Drone Activities Prohibited

Furthermore, drone activities will be prohibited in the bomb disposal area. This measure is taken to prevent any potential interference or complications during the disposal operation. The police will strictly enforce this prohibition for the duration of the operation.

Advice to Affected Residents

Affected residents who did not attend the townhall meeting on the operations and did not receive written advisory regarding it are advised to contact Bukit Panjang Neighbourhood Police Centre for further enquiries. In addition, residents are advised to switch off electrical devices before leaving their units, leave their windows open, and secure loose items before leaving their houses. This is a precautionary measure as it is unlikely for any windows to shatter due to air pressure differences during the controlled disposal operation.