World War II bomb scare forces evacuation of Hong Kong construction sites, petrol stations, but suspect device later found to be harmless
- ‘Bomb’ dug up by building project workers found by police experts to be old construction equipment
- Area evacuated as police specialists move in to examine device
A piece of old builders’ equipment sparked a bomb scare at a Hong Kong construction site and triggered the evacuation of about 400 workers, police said on Monday.
The discovery forced two construction projects to close and the temporary shutdown of two petrol stations near a worksite on Kai Fuk Road in Kowloon Bay where the object was found.
Police said a worker raised the alarm just before 2.20pm and the force’s explosive ordnance disposal bureau was called in to examine the find.
Bomb squad experts later ruled the object to be harmless.
A police spokeswoman said a preliminary investigation indicated the metal-cased object measured about 60cm by 15cm by 200cm.
She added workers at the construction sites were evacuated as bomb disposal experts examined the find.