S'pore army to detonate unexploded 50kg WWII bomb found along Jiak Kim Street at old Zouk area

Zouk wasn't the only thing that was a blast.

Belmont Lay | November 16, 2019, 09:52 PM

An unexploded World War II aerial bomb was discovered at a construction site along Jiak Kim Street during excavation works.

The Singapore police wrote on Facebook on Nov. 16, 2019 that moving the bomb would be dangerous and it will have to be disposed on-site.

The bomb was discovered on Nov. 12 at about 2.35pm.

Jiak Kim Street is in the area where the old Zouk club was located at.

The disposal will be carried out on Monday, Nov. 18, between 8am and 6pm

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

As a result of the on-site operations, roads in the vicinity will be closed and residents of the surrounding condominiums, as well as guests and staff of a hotel will be evacuated.

The police said loud sounds will be heard and the public is advised to avoid the area.

It is understood that the police has held briefings for residents of the condominium on Saturday, based on knowledge provided by one resident.

This is the full police statement:

[CONTROLLED DISPOSAL OF WAR RELIC FOUND AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE ALONG JIAK KIM STREET]

​On 12 November 2019 at about 2.35pm, the Police were informed of a war relic discovered at a construction site along Jiak Kim Street during excavation works.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has determined that the war relic is a 50kg World War II aerial bomb, and assessed that it is unsafe to move the war relic. Therefore, it has to be disposed on-site.

The SAF EOD team will carry out an on-site controlled disposal of the war relic on 18 November 2019 between 8am and 6pm. For the safety of the public, the Police will effect a 200 metres safety cordon around the war relic during this period.

The Police have engaged affected residents from Mirage Tower condominium, Tribeca by the Waterfront condominium and Rivergate condominium and they will have to temporarily vacate their buildings during the controlled disposal operation. Similarly, staff from Grand Copthorne Waterfront hotel will make arrangements to temporarily move affected guests away from the area of the hotel that will be affected by the operation.

Loud sounds can be expected during the controlled disposal of the war relic. The public is advised not to be alarmed and to avoid the area.

Members of the public may contact Bukit Merah East Neighbourhood Police Centre at 97310950 for further enquiries.

To facilitate the operation, a portion of River Valley Green road, a portion of Kim Seng Road (between Kim Seng Promenade and Havelock Road), Jiak Kim Street, Zion Road slip road towards Kim Seng Road, and a portion of the Singapore River (between Robertson bridge and Kim Seng bridge) will be temporarily closed to vehicles and ferries respectively from 9.30am on 18 November 2019. Please do not enter the above areas during this period. The Police will provide an update via SPF Facebook and Twitter once the affected roads and portion of the Singapore River are reopened.

During the road closures, access will only be granted to Police, SAF and emergency vehicles. Traffic Police officers will be deployed along the affected roads to assist and redirect motorists.

Parking restrictions will be strictly enforced. Vehicles found parked and causing obstruction will be towed away.

Drone activities are prohibited in the area of the disposal operation.

The Police are working closely with the relevant authorities and the SAF EOD team to ensure that the controlled disposal of the war relic will be carried out safely and with minimal inconvenience to the public. Members of the public should cooperate with police officers deployed on the ground.

Top photo by condominium resident

 

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