World War II bomb destroyed near Paris

On April 19, 2026, a World War II bomb was destroyed in a controlled explosion in Colombes, a commune west of Paris. The explosive device, measuring 1.06 meters in length and 33 centimeters in diameter, was discovered during construction work. Authorities initially attempted to deactivate the bomb manually, but determined it was too dangerous to do so. Experts then buried the device in a sand pit, secured with wooden beams and concrete walls to mitigate the impact of the blast. More than 1,000 residents within a 450-meter radius were evacuated as a safety precaution. Approximately 800 police officers were deployed to secure the area, supported by aerial drone surveillance to ensure public safety and prevent incidents. Following the explosion, authorities inspected the crater to confirm the site was safe. The operation concluded successfully on April 19.