After months of detailed preparation, our team excavated the soil layer by layer to approach the unexploded bomb under Claes de Vrieselaan 27. And with success. May 30, 2024, the bomb was cleared. The clearing and defusing will be done by the Explosives Disposal Service (EOD), but to get to that point a lot of work has been done!

What preceded
Through extensive historical research by Saricon specialists, we know that in Rotterdam there is an increased risk of the presence of an unexploded aerial bomb (also known as an unexploded bomb) at some 200 locations. Such was the case in the Claes de Vrieselaan.

In late 2016, using detection equipment, we confirmed the likely presence and location of an unexploded bomb. The bomb is located some 8 meters below ground and at this kind of depths, such a bomb can often be left without risk. In the case of Claes de Vrieselaan, however, it was necessary to repair foundations. This led the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to decide in 2017 that the bomb needed to be cleared.

Wondering where all these duds are located? Check it out on the Bomb Map Rotterdam.

Special operation
It is not often that this kind of work is carried out in the center of a city. So the removal of this bomb was prepared extremely carefully. It is a far-reaching event.

To remove the bomb, it was necessary to demolish 3 properties (6 homes). The demolition was completed in the fall of 2023. Then, in close cooperation with the Municipality of Rotterdam and the EOD, among others, we carried out the work necessary to excavate, defuse, dispose of and finally, destroy the bomb. During the May 30 cull, some 1,100 residents in the immediate area must leave their homes as a precaution. Safety first!

This is also a unique job according to the EOD:
“Usually we find explosives in open areas, near airports or port areas, where only businesses have to close down temporarily. Such a clearance has much less impact on the environment. Here the unexploded bomb is in the middle of a residential area and 1,100 people have to leave their homes. In addition, we will not know for sure what kind of bomb and detonator we are dealing with until May 30. We have assumed a thousand pounder, the heaviest caliber with the most explosive, so that we will not have any surprises on Thursday.”

EOD examines parts of found tree tail

Precision work on the square meter
A bomb lying some 8 meters underground is not something you just scoop out. That requires heavy equipment. To be able to handle this heavy equipment in the tight space between the houses, our crane is specially equipped for this work with a hydraulic cabin elevation and LMB (load moment safety device). This hydraulic cab can be raised 2.15 meters, giving the operator a better view of the work in the cockpit. The LMB ensures that we can hoist safely.

In addition, a special building pit construction was devised and installed for this special work in collaboration with Gebr. De Koning. They did this with great precision and in the tight space around this bomb expertly and vibration-free by using a Silent Piler.

Layer by layer, the soil is excavated to a depth of about 8 meters where the unexploded bomb is located

Decommissioning
After years of preparation, the day finally arrived on Thursday, May 30. The EOD excavates the bomb, identifies it and then defuses it. The bomb can then be safely removed and disposed of. The EOD takes the bomb away to destroy it outside the city. Once the EOD is finished and has disposed of the bomb, residents can return to their homes.

Of course, we then ensure that the huge hole is neatly plugged again so that foundation work can then be safely started.