75,000 Evacuated in Greece So WWII Bomb Can Be Defused

Residents of Kordelio district are seen aboard a bus after authorities ordered the evacuation of the area in order to defuse a 500-pound unexploded World War II bomb, in Thessaloniki, Greece, on Feb. 12, 2017. AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

THESSALONIKI, Greece—Authorities in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki evacuated an estimated 75,000 people Sunday so army experts could defuse a 500-pound (227-kilogram) unexploded World War II bomb found under a gas station.

Bomb disposal experts started their work at 11.30 a.m. (0900 GMT), 90 minutes later than planned, as police went house-to-house, reminding late risers and other stragglers to leave their homes. Authorities were clearing out a 1.9-kilometer (1.18-mile) radius around the bomb site, mostly in the western suburb of Kordelio.

Many people left in their cars, but some were being bused to schools and sports halls elsewhere in the city, where they can find food and shelter.

“We heard on TV that, if the bomb explodes, it will be like a strong earthquake,” a worried Michalis Papanos, 71, told The Associated Press as he and his wife, Yiannoula, headed out of their home.

Greek Army officers conduct preparation work before they excavate an unexploded World War II bomb which was found 5 meters (over 16 feet) deep, at a gas station in Thessaloniki, Greece, on Feb. 12, 2017. AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos