WWII bomb found during bridge demolition in Dresden

LEIPZIG (GERMANY), 8 (DPA/EP)

German authorities reported this Wednesday that they have found a bomb dating back to World War II during demolition work on a collapsed bridge in the city of Dresden, in the east of the country.

The German Police have indicated that they have proceeded to cordon off the entire bank of the river that surrounds the area while waiting for the explosive disposal unit to intervene to remove the device and guarantee security.

The bomb was found under the bridge, located over the Elbe River, early in the morning. A spokesman for the security forces has indicated that the next steps will be defined by artillery experts.

Unexploded ordnance from World War II is frequently discovered during construction work in Germany. Dresden, located about 190 kilometers south of Berlin, was bombed by the Allies during the war.

Demolition work on the bridge has been underway for months after a section unexpectedly collapsed into the Elbe in September. The bridge has to be completely demolished.