Large British high-explosive bomb removed from central Turin

A major unexploded bomb was recently discovered beneath a street in Turin, Italy, prompting a large-scale evacuation in the city’s historic district. The device, identified as a British 500lb General Purpose (GP) bomb from World War II, was safely removed by military disposal teams.

Thousands evacuated during bomb disposal operation

Authorities established a “red zone” around the site, leading to the evacuation of over 10,000 residents from the city centre. An additional 50,000 people were advised to stay indoors while the bomb disposal operation was carried out. Large-scale evacuations like this highlight the ongoing risk posed by unexploded ordnance (UXO) in urban areas, particularly in cities with a history of wartime bombing.

The history of British high-explosive bombs in Turin

The 500lb GP bomb found in Turin was one of the most commonly used munitions by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. With approximately 64kg of high explosives, it was capable of causing extensive destruction. In total, the RAF dropped over 531,000 of these bombs during the war.

Turin was the first Italian city to be bombed by the RAF, with initial raids beginning in June 1940. However, the most intense attacks occurred in the summer of 1943, when large-scale bombing campaigns resulted in the deaths of approximately 850 people.

UXO discoveries in Italy are not uncommon due to the scale of wartime bombing. In October 2019, a similar incident in Bolzano led to the evacuation of 4,000 people after a large Allied bomb was uncovered.

UXO risks in the UK

While wartime UXO is often associated with continental Europe, the UK also faces significant risks. In May 2023, a German 500lb bomb was discovered in Kingston upon Thames, London, leading to localised evacuations. Similar discoveries continue to pose challenges for construction projects and public safety.

How Brimstone UXO helps mitigate this threat

For UK construction companies, the risk of encountering unexploded bombs from World War II remains a serious concern – particularly when carrying out piling or excavation work. Brimstone UXO provides comprehensive UXO risk assessments and surveys, ensuring construction projects can proceed safely without the risk of striking buried ordnance.

To stay informed about UXO safety and industry updates, follow Brimstone UXO on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.