German construction worker killed by unexploded World War Two bomb as he dug a trench: Digger driver dies instantly in explosion near Bonn
- Bomb from World War II detonated in Euskirchen, west Germany
- One man dead, at least eight others injured in blast on industrial site
- Shock wave 'felt for miles' and windows shattered in the town centre
By SARA MALM PUBLISHED: 14:39 GMT, 3 January 2014 | UPDATED: 15:04 GMT, 3 January 2014
A World War II bomb has detonated in west Germany this afternoon, killing at least one man, and injuring several others.The shock wave shattered windows within several miles of the site where the bomb went off, in the city of Euskirchen, and could be heard 16miles away in nearby Bonn. The bomb, which has laid undetected for more than 70 years, is thought to be one of thousands dropped by Allied forces on the Euskirchen area in 1944.
Explosion: A bomb from World War II exploded during digging work in Euskirchen near Bonn, killing thee digger operator and injuring eight
The bomb exploded around 12.30 this afternoon during a dig on the outskirts of the city, Der Spiegel reports.It reportedly detonated on a building site and the dead man is believed to be the operator of the excavator.
The man and his colleagues were moving debris when the bomb went off, Euskirchen Police spokesman Norbert Hardt told Spiegel Online.The man died at the scene.Eight others were injured in the blast, two are in critical condition in hospital.
Blast: The force of the explosion shattered windows within several miles of the site in Euskirchen, west Germany
Local residents took to Twitter to show the devastation following the explosion, showing shattered shop windows and broken glass on the streets.
According to Hardt, pieces of the bomb spread withing a one kilometer radius, however, no further injuries have been reported.
One man told Spiegel Online that all the windows had jumped out of the frame on his home and that the shock wave had dented his garage door.
It is not uncommon to find undetonated bombs from World War II in Germany, however they rarely result in injuries or deaths.
Explosion: A bomb from World War II exploded during digging work in Euskirchen near Bonn, killing thee digger operator and injuring eight
The bomb exploded around 12.30 this afternoon during a dig on the outskirts of the city, Der Spiegel reports.It reportedly detonated on a building site and the dead man is believed to be the operator of the excavator.
The man and his colleagues were moving debris when the bomb went off, Euskirchen Police spokesman Norbert Hardt told Spiegel Online.The man died at the scene.Eight others were injured in the blast, two are in critical condition in hospital.
Blast: The force of the explosion shattered windows within several miles of the site in Euskirchen, west Germany
Local residents took to Twitter to show the devastation following the explosion, showing shattered shop windows and broken glass on the streets.
According to Hardt, pieces of the bomb spread withing a one kilometer radius, however, no further injuries have been reported.
One man told Spiegel Online that all the windows had jumped out of the frame on his home and that the shock wave had dented his garage door.
It is not uncommon to find undetonated bombs from World War II in Germany, however they rarely result in injuries or deaths.
