Portsmouth Harbour Reopens After WWII Mine Found and Neutralised
Portsmouth Harbour reopened tonight after a wartime mine forced a major shutdown earlier in the day. The explosive device, discovered during harbour dredging near Southsea, sparked a 500-metre exclusion zone and a three-hour lockdown.
Wartime Mine Sparks Panic at Busy Portsmouth Port
The Royal Navy’s Southern Dive Team Two was scrambled this evening after the Second World War mine was dredged up by a barge excavator. The port shut down immediately, causing heavy delays for ships trying to dock or depart.
Bomb Disposal Team Sprang Into Action
Experts from the Royal Navy’s bomb disposal squad quickly assessed the danger and moved to neutralise the explosive device. The mine was part of the seabed, uncovered amid extensive harbour infrastructure upgrades ahead of the arrival of the new 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier.
All Clear Given After Safe Detonation
By just after 9pm, the bomb disposal team declared the area safe, allowing Portsmouth Harbour to fully reopen. The swift response averted any major disruptions and ensured the port’s critical operations could carry on.
