The first explosion from a controlled detonation of a 50kg World War II bomb relic has taken place at about 11am on Monday, Nov. 18.

Tremors felt, smell of explosion

It was conducted at a construction site in Jiak Kim Street, at the area where the old Zouk club was located.

Slight tremors were felt nearby.

There was also a smell of explosives in the air.

Roads around the area near Kim Seng Road were closed.

A 200m cordon had been set up during the operation scheduled to last until 6pm.

The Straits Times said a tourist from China who was interviewed claimed he heard the first explosion from about 1km away from the site.

Evacuated

Those living in condominiums near Jiak Kim Street were seen trickling out of their homes at 7am.

About 600 residential units were affected.

Residents at the Tribeca by the Waterfront, Rivergate and Mirage Tower condominiums were evacuated.

Affected roads around the area were closed to traffic by 9.30am.

The Grand Copthorne Waterfront hotel had to evacuate guests and staff.

A limited number of its guests were affected, the hotel said, with some rooms facing the construction site out-of-bounds.

King’s Centre and Waterfront Plaza, buildings that are next to the hotel, are helping the police with traffic management and logistics, redirecting members of the public.

The bomb was discovered on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was carrying out the bomb disposal.

Top photo via Joe Hickman

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