50,000 to be evacuated in bomb sweep

ABOUT 50,000 people will be evacuated today while experts defuse five Second World War bombs in the German city of Hannover.

The operation is the country’s second largest and will result in the temporary closure of seven care homes, a clinic and a Continental tyre plant.

Officials hope those affected will be able to return by the evening.

A programme of entertainment has been set up to occupy people forced out of their homes.

Allied forces bombed the city heavily during the war, killing thousands and inflicting heavy damage.

Unexploded devices are being found to this day.