London’s gay village evacuated for second time in two days after unexploded World War II bomb found

Feb 04 2020
Written by Josh Milton

A Royal Engineer Bomb Disposal van arrives outside the Soho Theatre on Dean Street in the Soho area of central London on February 3, 2020. (ISABEL INFANTES/AFP via Getty Images)

Another part of a World War II bomb has been discovered in the gay village of London, England, prompting road closures and evacuations for the second day in a row.

Metropolitan Police confirmed today on Twitter that a further part of the ordnance, uncovered yesterday afternoon, was discovered today.

“Another part of yesterday’s WW2 ordnance has been discovered,” law enforcement stated. “Further road closures are going to be implemented shortly.

Another part of yesterday’s WW2 ordnance has been discovered.
Further road closures are going to be implemented shortly. It is likely that the closures will be Dean St & the surrounding area however this will be updated as soon as we can. #Soho pic.twitter.com/apWazBlTA1

— Soho Police (@MPSSoho) February 4, 2020

“We apologise for the inconvenience and understand the disruption caused however these closures will likely be in place until the end of this incident.”

UPDATE – Officers will need to evacuate those on Dean St, Richmond Mews, Meard St & St Annes Court.

We apologise for the inconvenience & understand the disruption caused however these closures will likely be in place until the end of this incident. #Soho— Soho Police (@MPSSoho) February 4, 2020

What happened?

Footage of officers unfurling tape, evacuating properties and closing local businesses went viral on Twitter on Monday.

Locals huddled along the tape demanding answers as officers came to the village at 1:42pm.

It’s all kicking off in #Soho #deanstreet pic.twitter.com/UnWBJCthn0— [ George. ] (@_anothergeorge_) February 3, 2020

Shortly after amid confused shoppers, Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, Shaftesbury Avenue, Lexington Street and Poland Street were cordoned off while police assessed the situation.

After the device was discovered, the Ministry of Defence sent a British Army to remove the 500kg bomb. Barricades were lifted at 8:40pm.

Second part of World War II bomb found in London gay village.

However, Dean Street, heaving with upmarket juice bars, private members clubs and a sexual health clinic, was emptied out by uniformed police again today.

They’ve found another one #soho #deanstreet #ww2bomb pic.twitter.com/D7Vp6yGsvs— Louie Marcus (@louiecm) February 4, 2020

Street closures paralysed the neighbourhood once again. Richmond News, Meard Street and St Anne’s Court were later cordoned off this afternoon, law enforcement said.

Frustrated commuters took videos of cordoned-off streets, with one witness describing “a lot of baffled and vaguely irritable businessmen gathering outside their offices”, while “others seemed very happy to go home early”, ITV reported.