“It shocked me a little”: a part of the city center of Annecy emptied of its inhabitants for the clearance of a bomb

The Annecy station area (Haute-Savoie) was awakened by police sirens this Sunday morning at seven o’clock. 3,800 residents must evacuate for the day. “It shocked me a little, I am really 5 meters from the evacuation radius”testifies a young man in the TF1 report above. “If they have to clear a bomb, I don’t think there’s much of a choice.”a lady resigns herself.

Streets blocked, and driving prohibited within a radius of 400 meters around the machine. A liberal nurse had to reorganize herself: “I have a patient who is concerned by my care, who I will not see today. We are postponing the dressing until tomorrow”she explains.

A 250 kg bomb

A month ago, on the construction site of a new neighborhood, a 250 kg bomb was discovered, dating back more than 80 years. “Annecy was bombed several times during the Second World War. Three times, between the end of 1943 and mid-1944”recalls the prefect of Haute-Savoie, Yves Le Breton. Up to 20% of these bombs would not have exploded upon hitting the ground. For the people of Annecy, it’s astonishment. “It was funny to learn that, I couldn’t believe it”reacts a resident.

• Read also

  World War II bomb clearance operations: “We are predicted to have another 500 years of work”

“The exclusion perimeter is closed, you must reach the assembly points”proclaims the loudspeaker of a police car which crisscrosses the neighborhood in slow motion. Shuttles have been set up to a village hall, where residents are welcomed for the day. Some residents still chose to remain confined to their homes despite the instructions. So from the command post, every movement is monitored. “Anyone who is outside, we will have to stop the operation. There are drones monitoring the area”explains the city’s mayor, François Astorg. Mine clearance is expected to last until 5 p.m. In the meantime, no trains are running at Annecy station.