I hope the digger-drivers in Marseille are getting danger money! Another large bomb has been found – this time an enormous German bomb called Monika (Bombermine BM 1000 Monika). The unfortunate driver, last Friday, stuck his ‘brise-roche’ – piercing bit – into the bomb while working on a site in La Joliette. There was a small explosion which slightly injured two workmen.
The prefect’s initial decision was to leave it until April, but people working in the port, at Euromed and in the Docks have asked for quicker action so it will be dealt with tomorrow (Sunday).
The plan is to evacuate 1000 people from the vicinity and shut the roads, gas and electricity pipes. Unlike the last bomb which was taken out to sea and detonated, Monika and its 650kg of explosives is much bigger and needs different treatment. First they have to get the drill out of the bomb then get it on to a lorry, an operation they are describing as ‘tres delicate’. It will then be driven to camp de Canjuers in the Var to be neutralised.
There is going to be disruption between 9:00-16:00. The link below has all the details of road and metro closures: http://www.laprovence.com/article/a-la-une/marseille-dimanche-obus-evacue-et-joliette-paralysee
aixcentric 
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