Thousands spend second night evacuated in Exmouth over unexploded bomb
The wartime device in Plymouth's Millbay area has also been removed - with around 800 people briefly evacuated overnight
Last updated 16th Jan 2026
Two separate operations to dispose of unexploded wartime devices caused evacuations and disruptions in Devon this week.
In Exmouth, the discovery of a wartime device near the marina led to the evacuation of hundreds of residents.
On Thursday evening (16/1), emergency services extended the cordon around the area from 400 metres to 600 metres, displacing an estimated 500 additional households.
Thousands of people have spent a second night away from their homes - after they were evacuated on Wednesday night following the discovery of an unexploded wartime bomb in the water at the Marina.
The device was assessed by bomb disposal experts, who decided the safest way to dispose of it was by carefully transporting it out to sea during high tide in the early hours of Friday morning for a controlled detonation.
An Evacuation Assembly Point was set up at Exmouth LED Leisure Centre, where staff from Devon County Council and East Devon District Council provided support to those unable to stay with friends or family.
Assistant Chief Constable Nicki Leaper expressed gratitude for the community's cooperation during the operation.
“We understand this has been an extremely unsettling time for the community, especially those who have been displaced from their homes, but safety has been our overriding concern throughout," Leaper said.
"I would like to thank everyone for their support with this cordon being put in place and maintained this evening and tonight leading to a return to some normality for all on Friday."
Meanwhile, in Plymouth, residents in Millbay were evacuated overnight due to another wartime device.
Around 800 people were asked to leave their homes to allow specialists to safely remove the item.
Bomb disposal teams secured the device and transported it to Plymouth’s King Point Marina in a military convoy. From there, it was taken out to sea for a controlled detonation.
By early Friday morning, the operation in Millbay was complete, and the cordon was lifted, allowing evacuees to return to their homes.
Officials involved in both operations thanked affected residents for their patience and cooperation during these challenging incidents.
Millbay Academy announced it would remain closed on Friday.
Residents in Exmouth who needed assistance leaving their homes during the evacuation were advised to call 01395 571 500 for help.
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