SINGAPORE: A World War II bomb that was discovered at a construction site within the Changi Airport’s premises will be disposed of on site by military experts early on Thursday (April 2).
In a statement on April 1, the police said it was informed at 4.55am on March 31 about the war relic, discovered during construction works at Tanah Merah Coast Road.
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team assessed the war relic to be a 250kg WWII aerial bomb.
The EOD team also assessed that the relic to be unsafe to move, and will carry out an on-site controlled disposal on April 2 between 2.30am and 4.30am.
The disposal will be contained within the construction site, said the police, adding that areas accessible to the public will not be affected.
In a map provided by the police, the disposal site is flanked by two runways, and is near the Changi Jurassic Mile and Tanah Merah Country Club’s Tampines Course, according to The Straits Times’ checks against online maps.
The area appears to be part of the future Terminal 5, ST’s checks against Changi Airport Group’s map on the Changi East development show. The terminal is part of the development, the airport’s largest expansion to date.
The police advised the public are advised not to be alarmed by the loud sounds that can be expected during the process.
The police said it is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Changi Airport Group, SAF and Singapore Civil Defence Force to ensure that the controlled disposal of the relic is carried out safely.
Those with enquiries may contact Changi Neighbourhood Police Centre at 1800-587-2999.
In 2023, the discovery of a 100kg WWII aerial bomb at a construction site in Upper Bukit Timah Road led to the evacuation of residents in parts of Bukit Panjang and Upper Bukit Timah.
The bomb’s disposal resulted in cracked ceilings and shattered glass in nearby homes.
Unexploded ordinance are not always disposed of on site.
In 2016, a 227kg unexploded aerial bomb was disposed of by the army on Pulau Senang. - The Straits Times/ANN
