'Unexploded WW2 BOMB' found near major shopping centre as area goes on lockdown
A MAJOR shopping centre has been evacuated and transport links halted after a "unexploded Second World War bomb" was discovered.
Westfield Shopping Centre has been evacuated after a Second World War bomb was found
Witnesses described “chaos” as shoppers fled Westfield Shopping Centre in West London’s Shepherd’s Bush this afternoon.
The road and rail network was suspended while the MoD inspected the device.
The closest Tube station, Shepherd’s Bush, was also been put on lockdown.
The Second World War bomb was discovered at a building site near the shopping centre.
Shoppers and workers were evacuated from the west London shopping centre
Police are dealing with an unexploded shell in White City
Shoppers and workers took to Twitter to express their shock at the bomb discovery.
One witness tweeted: "Westfield just got evacuated due to a bomb threat."
Workers were also evacuated from nearby offices.
Ricardo Gladwell wrote: "This is a first: they just evacuated my offices near Westfield. No fire alarm. Police cordoning off road. Yikes!"
Westfield evacuated after ww2 bomb scare
A spokeswoman for Scotland Yard described the device as an "unexploded shell".
Police were called at about 10.40am and specialist officers removed the item for examination by 12.40pm.
Road and rail closures have now been lifted.
My sister in law just told me a bomb has been found at White City. Stay safe people
— Ella (@420Ella) July 8, 2015
Not every day you get evacuated from your office due to an u exploded WW2 bomb #westfield #evacuation pic.twitter.com/mjNcU5JqUm
— Jane (@janeywoo) July 8, 2015
Westfield Shepherds Bush evacuated due to unexploded bomb. No workmen to be seen on usually busy site #westfieldbomb pic.twitter.com/rozSvXMz84
— Ben Ayers (@benayers) July 8, 2015
They've just found a WW2 bomb in/nearby Westfield. Shepherd's Bush station a nightmare pic.twitter.com/7HlFxiDNLg
— Alex Ferguson (@viewfromamerica) July 8, 2015
Offices were also evacuated as police attended.
The site is near BBC Television Centre which was affected and other buildings were emptied.