WWII bomb defused in Greece; 70,000 evacuees heading home

An unexploded WWII bomb discovered beneath a gas station in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, was safely defused on Sunday, marking the conclusion of one of the country’s largest peacetime evacuations. The device was transported to an army firing range outside the city for disposal, allowing over 70,000 displaced residents to return to their homes.

WWII Bomb Disposal and Evacuation Efforts

Authorities had imposed a 1.9-kilometre (1.2-mile) exclusion zone in western Thessaloniki and the suburb of Kordelio, where the majority of evacuees resided. Roads were closed, and public transport was halted to ensure public safety while experts worked on the WWII bomb. The city’s main bus station was temporarily shut down, and local train services were suspended.

The bomb was identified as a US-made 275-pound (125-kilogram) explosive. “It was badly corroded, but its detonation mechanism was still in very good condition,” said Army spokesman Col. Nikos Fanios. Initial estimates suggested the device weighed 500 pounds (227 kilograms), but further inspection confirmed its actual size. Officials reported that similar devices had previously been found near Macedonia Airport in the city’s east, although those discoveries did not require large-scale evacuations due to their more remote locations.

Coordinated Evacuation of 70,000 Residents

The evacuation commenced at 7:00 AM, with police going door to door to ensure compliance. Bomb disposal teams began their work at 11:30 AM, 90 minutes behind schedule, but successfully neutralised the bomb within just 30 minutes. Central Macedonia governor Apostolos Tzizikostas called the operation “a total success,” emphasising its significance as the largest peacetime evacuation in Greece.

Many residents left the area in their cars, while others were transported by buses to designated temporary shelters, including schools and sports halls. The city also booked a 175-room hotel to accommodate individuals with mobility issues. Even 450 refugees housed at a former factory were evacuated and taken on an educational visit to Thessaloniki’s archaeological museum during the operation.

Eyewitness Account: Remembering the Day the Bomb Fell

For some residents, the bomb’s discovery resurfaced painful wartime memories. Giorgos Gerasimou, 86, who lives just half a mile from the site, recalled the day the bomb fell:

“The bombing was done by English and American planes on September 17th, 1944. It was Sunday lunchtime,” he recounted. “The Allies were targeting local German rail facilities, but one of my 10-year-old friends was killed in the bombing.”

Nazi Germany occupied Greece from 1941 until October 1944, leaving a legacy of unexploded ordnance across the country.

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