What a suspected bomb at a Hong Kong construction site turned out to be
Police explosive experts identified the object as a British cannon barrel, measuring about four metres long, and subsequently declared the area safe.
The barrel, unearthed approximately three metres underground, dates back to British colonial rule, a period when Hong Kong was a target during World War II.
It is fairly common for relics, including unexploded ordnance from past conflicts, particularly World War II, to be discovered during construction or excavation work in the city.
Previous significant finds in Hong Kong include a 500-pound Japanese bomb in 2022 and a British naval mine, both of which were safely detonated.
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The Independent
14 hours ago
- The Independent
What a suspected bomb at a Hong Kong construction site turned out to be
A suspected bomb found at a construction site in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, on Tuesday prompted a brief police cordon and evacuation of workers. Police explosive experts identified the object as a British cannon barrel, measuring about four metres long, and subsequently declared the area safe. The barrel, unearthed approximately three metres underground, dates back to British colonial rule, a period when Hong Kong was a target during World War II. It is fairly common for relics, including unexploded ordnance from past conflicts, particularly World War II, to be discovered during construction or excavation work in the city. Previous significant finds in Hong Kong include a 500-pound Japanese bomb in 2022 and a British naval mine, both of which were safely detonated.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- The Independent
Hong Kong bomb that caused scare turns out to be British cannon barrel
A suspected bomb unearthed at a construction site in Hong Kong triggered a brief evacuation and police cordon on Tuesday but was later identified as a British cannon barrel, not an explosive device. Buried about three metres underground, the barrel measured about 4m long and 15cm in diameter. It was found at a construction site on Mody Road near the Urban Council Centenary Garden in East Tsim Sha Tsui on Tuesday at about 12.10pm local time. As a precaution, officers cordoned off a section of Granville Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road for over an hour. They also moved out about 40 workers from the area. Police explosive experts declared the area safe by mid-afternoon. It's fairly common for weapons or relics such as bombs, mines, or cannon barrels from past conflicts, particularly World War II, to be found in the city, often during construction or excavation work. The newly unearthed cannon barrel dates back to British colonial rule. When Hong Kong was occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945, it became a target for Allied attacks, particularly its shipyards and harbour facilities that the Japanese military was using. 'Hong Kong's main value during the Japanese occupation was its ship repairing facilities, so putting those out of action was harming the Japanese war effort,' historian Jason Wordie told AFP in 2018. Mr Wordie added that there were likely 'stacks more' unexploded bombs from Allied forces still buried and awaiting discovery. A 500-pound Japanese bomb from World War II was discovered underwater near Shek Ngau Chau in Sai Kung last year and safely detonated. The operation involved the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, Marine Police and other specialist units. In September 2022, Hong Kong police launched a major air-land-sea lockdown ahead of a high-risk operation to safely detonate a British naval mine from World War II containing over 220kg of explosives. The intact mine, found 15 metres underwater near Cape D'Aguilar, was the first of its kind discovered off Hong Kong Island in 30 years. In January 2018, police defused a 450kg World War II bomb made in the US and found at a Wan Chai construction site, prompting the evacuation of over 4,000 people and a 24-hour cordon. The bomb, dropped during the Japanese occupation of the island, was severely damaged and difficult to access, making the operation especially risky. It was the second such device found in the same area within a week, according to news reports at the time. The largest bomb ever discovered in the city was a 907kg wartime explosive which was safely defused in 2014.
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Keep an eye out' for rare penny coin worth £70
An expert explained exactly how to spot this coin, which is worth far more than its face value. Brits have been advised to 'keep an eye out' for a penny coin from a specific date. In good condition, this rare piece could be worth up to £70 to collectors. Speaking on social media platform TikTok, an expert known online as the Coin Collecting Wizard alerted his followers to a highly sought-after coin that could be sitting at home. While this coin is no longer in circulation as it pre-dates decimalisation, it could be stashed away in an attic or old coin jar. He created the video in response to someone asking if their 1967 penny coin was valuable. To this the expert said: 'There are many UK pre-decimal pennies that do hold value depending on the date, but unfortunately the 1967 penny isn't one of them. 'Let's look at one that is rare.' He continued: 'The 1950 is a rare penny to look for. 'A very low minted penny. In 1950 they only made 240,000 coins. That means for £1,000 you could have bought all the 1950 pennies they ever made.' He shared more about the unusual history of the coin. 'Until very recently, numismatists have always thought that all the 1950 pennies were shipped to Bermuda for use after World War II,' he said. 'Now we know that this information is wrong. They were also sent to the Bahamas in the West Indies. 'Now these coins were actually used in circulation because after the war there was a great shortage of small change.' He added that these could be worth up to £70. He said: 'So to find a 1950 UK pre-decimal penny today, you are looking at between 30 and 70 pounds depending on condition. So keep an eye out for '1950'.' Experts at Coincraft explained more. 'The 1950 penny was issued during the reign of King George VI, this bronze penny showcases a design by Thomas Humphrey Paget,' they said. 'The obverse features a left-facing portrait of the king with the inscription. On the reverse, the iconic image of Britannia, seated and holding a trident and shield, symbolising Britain's naval power and strength. 'The 1950 penny was shipped to the Caribbean, along with other denominations of British coins. During the mid-20th century, British currency was widely used in many Caribbean territories, reflecting the colonial ties between Britain and the region. Coins such as the 1950 penny would have circulated in places like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados, where they were used in everyday transactions.' At the time of reporting, examples of the coin could be found listed on eBay for £34 and above.
