This large-scale intervention follows the discovery, last month, of a bomb dating from the Second World War in the Hirondelles district. A perimeter of 400 meters around the shell was evacuated.
A Sunday like no other for several thousand Annecy residents. This Sunday, October 24, they were evacuated at dawn from their residence in the Hirondelles district (Haute-Savoie) due to mine clearance operations to extract… a bomb. Indeed, a 230 kg shell was discovered in Annecy on October 22 on the construction site of a new district. This bomb, dropped on May 10, 1944 on the SRO factory, remained buried for more than 80 years. A major intervention is planned today to defuse the projectile, reports the Dauphine Libéré .
Around 3,800 residents were awakened at dawn by the sirens of police vehicles crisscrossing the streets. They were invited to go to the homes of their loved ones or to a meeting space specially set up for the occasion. The evacuation operation ended around 9 a.m., behind schedule due to latecomers, reports the local newspaper. Mine clearance operations are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
However, some residents refused to leave their homes and were forced to remain confined all day. Those who risk venturing outside will be fined. People who had difficulty getting around or who could not leave their homes for health reasons were first asked to report to the city of Annecy.
Magnitude device
Traffic has been completely stopped and no activity is permitted in the area for the duration of the operation. The intervention of the deminers caused significant disruptions on numerous roads and parking sites. The SNCF station was also closed, leading to the closure of all main tracks at Annecy station and its signal box, we learned The Parisian .
In addition to the 75 municipal police officers responsible for securing and safeguarding the perimeter, “between 160 and 200 agents from different services will be mobilized”, indicated to Dauphiné Libéré François Astorg, mayor of Annecy. “A reception of the population is planned from 7 a.m. at the Glaisins meeting space (Annecy-Le-Vieux) and at the gymnasium for the youngest, with activities”he added. Residents benefit from free shuttles for the round trip.
The prefecture announced in a press release that the return of residents to this area will only be authorized at the end of the operation.
