Bratislava,Slovakia – A World War‌ II-era bomb unearthed ⁢during ⁣construction work ⁢triggered widespread evacuations in ‌downtown Bratislava ‍on Tuesday,disrupting morning ⁢commutes and prompting a significant emergency response.

The discovery necessitated the closure of⁢ several city blocks, including a ‌key bridge spanning the Danube River. Authorities halted all public transportation and vehicular traffic as a precaution,​ impacting thousands of ⁤residents during ⁤peak hours.​ The incident underscores the lingering presence of unexploded ordnance from the war, even decades later.

Bomb Defusal Underway

explosives experts are working to safely defuse the 500-pound (225-kilogram) bomb, which was located Monday ⁣evening. The ‍operation⁢ is​ expected to be⁣ completed‍ by midday Tuesday, according to officials.

Ancient Context

The area where⁢ the bomb⁣ was found was targeted by Allied ‍forces in 1944. ⁤ An oil refinery in ‍the vicinity was‍ a strategic objective during the war. At the time,Slovakia existed as‍ a puppet state under Nazi Germany,making‌ it a target for Allied bombing raids.