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Huge unexploded World War Two bomb dropped by RAF defused after 54,000 people evacuated from their homes in Germany at Christmas

Unexploded 1.8-tonne British bomb was discovered during construction work in southern German city of Augsburg which was bombed in February 1944

EXPLOSIVES experts have defused a large World War II aerial bomb which forced 54,000 people out of their homes at Christmas in Germany.

Residents in the city of Augsburg, in southern Germany, were forced out as part of the largest evacuation in the country since the end of World War II.

The old aerial bomb pictured after being disposed in Ausgburg, Germany
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The old aerial bomb pictured after being disposed in Ausgburg, GermanyCredit: EPA
Augsburg bomb
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More than 54,000 residents in Augsburg were evacuated on Christmas DayCredit: EPA
Germany bomb
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An unexploded 1.8-tonne RAF bomb was discovered during construction work
Augsburg bomb
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Over 34,000 households are thought to be affected by the emergency measureCredit: AP:Associated Press

The 1.8-tonne bomb was found during construction work in the city and it is expected to take most of the day to defuse.

Residents living within a one mile radius of the bomb were made to evacuate their homes from 8.00am local time.

Police said all homes in the vicinity will need to be cleared by 10.00am on Christmas Day and the evacuation is expected to disrupt 34,000 households.

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It is expected that it will take bomb disposal crews the rest of the day to defuseCredit: DPA
Augsburg bomb
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School gyms and exhibition halls have been opened up to residentsCredit: DPA

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According to local news website, the evacuation could continue into the night, though police say it is impossible to determine exactly how long it will take to make the area safe again.

Schools, sports halls and exhibition centres will be opened to the public for those unable to stay with family or friends.

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Augsburg, the southern German city, was devastated by bombs during the Second World WarCredit: Alamy
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The discovery of the 1.8-tonne RAF bomb has prompted mass evacuations on Christmas DayCredit: Getty Images

Large parts of the southern German city were destroyed on February 25 and 26 in 1944, when the RAF attacked along with US bombers.

The city is approximately 50miles north-west of Munich.

Though it is not uncommon for World War II bombs to be uncovered in Germany, this discovery is believed to have prompted one of the largest evacuations since the end of the devastating war.



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