LONDON: London City Airport was closed yesterday as military experts worked to remove a World War II bomb found in the neighbouring dock, reports AFP.

The unexploded ordnance was discovered in King George V Dock, during planned works near the runway of London’s most central airport.

The bomb was discovered at around 5:00am (0500 GMT) on Sunday and a 214-metre exclusion zone was imposed “to ensure that the ordnance can be safely dealt with whilst limiting any risk to the public,” police said.

Homes within the exclusion zone were evacuated overnight and the local authority was providing residents with temporary accommodation and support. Police remained at the scene on Monday.

“The operation to remove the ordnance is ongoing in partnership with our colleagues in the Royal Navy,” London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

City Airport operates short-haul flights and is located in east London, close to the Canary Wharf business district.