A massive 1,000-pound aerial bomb from World War II was safely neutralized and removed from a bustling construction zone in central Belgrade on Sunday. The device, identified as an American-made AN-M44, was located in an area undergoing rapid development near residential towers and a major shopping mall.
Why It Matters
Decades after the conclusion of global conflicts, unexploded ordnance (UXO) continues to pose a significant threat to modern infrastructure projects. Belgrade, which saw heavy aerial bombardment during its liberation from Nazi occupation in 1944, remains a site where the remnants of the past frequently collide with the present. Similar discoveries in the United Kingdom, Slovakia, and Hong Kong over the past year highlight the persistent danger of “sleeping” bombs in urban centers worldwide.
What to Know
The bomb was confirmed to be a U.S.-made explosive used by Allied forces during air raids on German positions toward the end of the war. To ensure public safety, Serbian government officials and local police conducted a detailed reconnaissance of the site before the extraction began. Residents in the immediate vicinity were advised to evacuate their homes, while the surrounding district was cordoned off to prevent any accidental casualties.
This is not the first such find in the region; in April 2024, a large bomb from the 1999 NATO campaign was discovered in Nis, and as recently as September 2024, a 660-pound artillery shell was cleared from near the Serbian parliament. Similar incidents have occurred globally this year, including the discovery of 170 bombs under a children’s playground in England and a five-foot-long U.S. bomb in a busy Hong Kong business district.
What People Are Saying
Local law enforcement confirmed that the operation was carried out under “safe conditions” following extensive preparation. While the discovery caused temporary disruption to the central Belgrade district, police emphasized that the protocol for such removals is well-established given the country’s history. Experts in other cities, such as Cologne, Germany—where three U.S. bombs were defused in June—have noted that preparatory work for road construction is increasingly uncovering these historical hazards, requiring specialized military intervention.
What Happens Next
Following its successful removal from the construction site, the bomb was transported to a military training ground approximately 110 miles outside of the capital. Military experts are scheduled to destroy the ordnance in a controlled environment in the coming days. As Belgrade continues its urban expansion, construction crews and authorities remain on high alert for additional remnants of 20th-century warfare hidden beneath the city’s surface.
