Around 5,000 are affected by the evacuation
Molly Seaman
14:38, 15 Jan 2026
Around 2,000 homes were evacuated as residents are still unable to return home after a WW2 bomb was uncovered in Devon.
A 400m cordon is in place after the unexploded WW2 bomb was dredged from Exmouth Marina.
Residents and businesses within the exclusion zone have been asked to evacuate the area.
East Devon District Council has said that roughly 2,000 properties have been affected and an estimated 5,000 people displaced.
Exmouth Beach has also been closed today as a precaution. However it is believed that the beach and seafront is not cordoned off.
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At the time of reporting, bomb and Army experts are assessing the device and will decide the safest course of action.
The cordon will remain in place until the bomb is made safe.
In an update issued by East Devon District Council, it said: "Emergency services continue to respond to the discovery of a significant unexploded German Second World War device at Exmouth Marina, which was found yesterday during routine dredging operations.
"Specialist military teams are currently on site assessing the device and determining the safest method for disposal. Public safety remains the priority.
"A 400m safety cordon remains in place, and residents within the affected area are still unable to return to their homes at this time. Approximately 2,000 homes continue to be impacted.
"Emergency services, local councils and other public service partners are working closely together to manage the incident and ensure the safety of the community while plans for safe disposal progress.
"Exmouth beach is closed today as a precaution.
"Further updates will be shared here and on our Frequently Asked Questions page as soon as more information becomes available.
"We thank residents and visitors for their continued patience and cooperation."
Further south, a 100m cordon is in place near the city centre in Plymouth after a bomb was located at a building site in the Millbay area.
The WW2 bomb in Exmouth is a "much larger unexploded historic device" than the object in Plymouth.