Hong Kong Bomb Disposal Chief Reveals High-Stakes Reality of Defusing WWII-Era Explosives
HONG KONG – Facing a constant, unquantifiable risk of detonation, Hong Kong’s bomb disposal officers meticulously dismantle and incinerate explosives ranging from wartime relics to illicit fireworks. Senior Superintendent Raymond Suryanto Chin-chiu,head of the police’s explosive ordnance disposal bureau,has overseen the clearance of over 1,000 such devices in his 18-year career,yet acknowledges the inherent uncertainty of each operation.
“I can only sit tight and pray for two things: that the explosion will happen later rather than now, and that it does not explode at all,” Suryanto said, revealing the psychological weight carried by those tasked with neutralizing perhaps catastrophic threats.
The precarious nature of the work was underscored during a recent 23-hour operation in Quarry Bay last month, involving a 1,000lb (454kg) US military bomb dropped during World War II.Suryanto recounted watching a nine-foot (2.74-meter) column of white flames erupt from a 30cm (12-inch) opening in the bomb as his team used controlled incineration to destroy the TNT explosives within. Drums of water bubbled around the burning pile, a testament to the volatile process.
The disposal process isn’t solely about the moment of detonation.Suryanto explained that even with meticulous planning and established methods, the risk remains unpredictable. The first 13 hours of the Quarry Bay operation were dedicated to evacuating residents and workers, and assessing the potential need to suspend nearby MTR services as a safety precaution.
The 48-year-old officer emphasized that successful bomb disposal demands “a mix of perseverance, precision, coolheadedness and an indomitable passion for the craft.” Despite the ever-present danger, he and his team continue to safeguard Hong Kong from the hidden dangers buried beneath its urban landscape.
