Thousands evacuated as experts defuse Berlin bomb

Some 7,000 people were evacuated from homes, schools and a hospital in a city north of Berlin after a Second World War-era bomb was found in a river.

The 550lb US bomb was discovered on the bed of the Havel River in Oranienburg, just on the outskirts of the city, and was destroyed in a controlled explosion that sent mud and water flying 130ft into the air.

Elsewhere in Oranienburg, officials were also preparing to defuse another 110lb US bomb discovered on the edge of the town.

Sixty years after the end of the war, it is still relatively common to find bombs in and around the German capital, which was largely destroyed by Allied air raids and other fighting during the war.

Just yesterday, a 1,100lb British bomb was found in central Berlin during construction on a new subway station, causing the evacuation of the German State Opera and several other buildings.

Since 1990, more than 100 bombs dating from the Second World War have been discovered in Brandenburg, which suffered heavy Allied attacks due to a plane production facility being based there.

Also, allied bomber pilots flying away from Berlin after attacks there often released their unused bombs.