Exmouth Faces Major Incident as World War Two Bomb Prompts Mass Evacuation

Major Incident Declared in Devon Seaside Town

The quiet seaside town of Exmouth in Devon became the centre of a major emergency operation this week after a “very large” German World War Two bomb was found during routine dredging works at Exmouth Marina. The discovery, made on 14 January 2026, triggered the evacuation of thousands of residents and prompted authorities to declare a major incident.

Widespread Evacuations and Emergency Response

The 400-metre cordon in Exmouth was increased to 600-metres, with a further 500 properties impacted, adding to the estimated 2,000 homes already affected. Residents within the cordon were asked to leave their homes as soon as possible and were encouraged to make arrangements to stay with friends and family. Military bomb disposal experts worked throughout the incident to assess the “significant piece of ordnance” that posed a serious threat to the community.

East Devon District Council immediately organised accommodation for 36 vulnerable people, with 40 people staying at Exmouth’s leisure centre the first night. Emergency services, including Devon and Cornwall Police and Royal Navy bomb disposal teams, coordinated a complex response to ensure public safety.

Safe Disposal and Return to Normality

Partners agreed that the safest and least impactful option was to carefully transport the device to sea at high tide in the early hours of Friday morning, where it could be disposed of. The bomb dredged from Exmouth Marina was taken for detonation during high tide, at around 4:40am, and residents returned to their homes after safety cordons were lifted.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of World War Two’s lasting impact on British coastal communities. Exmouth’s swift emergency response and community cooperation demonstrated the importance of coordinated disaster management. While the discovery caused significant disruption, the successful resolution without casualties highlights the expertise of bomb disposal teams and the effectiveness of modern emergency protocols in protecting civilian populations from historical wartime dangers.