WW2 bomb scare at airport

2005-10-06 14:42

Amsterdam - Traffic will likely be delayed at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport all day on Thursday after an unexploded British World War 2 bomb was found in a nearby field, the airport said.

The 225kg bomb was discovered by workers in the nearby town of Vijfhuizen, around 5km from the main airport. Explosives experts decided the runway nearest to the bomb should be closed.

"The projectile is sensitive to vibrations, is not in a settled position, and is possibly live," said the Dutch national traffic bureau ANWB.

Schiphol said other runways are open, but changes to the usual takeoff and landing patterns - and misty conditions - were contributing to the delays, which are likely to mount through the day.

Car traffic in the area near the bomb will be stopped until Friday, and several nearby houses have been evacuated as a precaution.

WW2 bombs and mines are still found on a weekly basis in the Netherlands, a reminder of its occupation by the Nazis and its geographic location directly between London and Berlin.

In April, three fishermen were killed when they netted an old bomb and it exploded as they hauled it on board their ship.

- AP