The Westfield Shopping Centre in London had to be evacuated on Wednesday after reports emerged that an "unexploded shell from World War II" was found nearby.
The police reportedly found 'what is believed to be a WW2 shell approximately 13.5 inches in length and around six inches wide' the Met police said on its website.
The police said its officers were investigating reports about the "unexploded WWII shell".
"Police were called at 10:41hrs to a building site in Ariel Way, White City, W12, to reports of an unexploded ordnance. Officers attended the scene and found what is believed to be a WW2 shell approximately 13.5 inches in length and around six inches wide," the Met police said.
The Met police said that the 'item was removed' at 12.40 pm local time, and that the cordons had been lifted.
Westfield said through its Twitter account that it had shut the White City shopping centre after the unexploded shell was found, but soon tweeted that it had re-opened the centre.
Due to an unexploded WW2 shell found today north of the centre, we have closed Westfield White City until further notice.
— Westfield London (@westfieldlondon) July 8, 2015
We have now reopened the centre and trading has resumed as normal. — Westfield London (@westfieldlondon) July 8, 2015
Many locals took to Twitter to share photos of the evacuation and reports of warnings that there was a WWII bomb in the vicinity.
This is purportedly the construction site where the 'unexploded WWII shell' was found'.
That's former BBC TV centre and White City station behind #Westfield #dangeruxb pic.twitter.com/oy8Qsc40bN
— Ben Ayers (@benayers) July 8, 2015
Some panicked locals cited the reason for the evacuation as an "attack" as clear details were not available.
Westfield been evacuated, under attack... pic.twitter.com/ctNTC0rhBT
— vaida m (@VaidaMar) July 8, 2015
Unexploded bomb at Wood Lane. Special police intervention units everywhere pic.twitter.com/XmzBjiQGfs
— Sam Corry (@Here_is_Sam) July 8, 2015
Westfield in Shepardsbush has been evacuated following the discovery of an unexploded WW2 bomb.Shops & lines closed #westfieldshoppingcentre — Frank KzWagaba (@FTKZimula) July 8, 2015
Some also thought it fit to take selfies during the evacuation.
Perks of working in Shopping centre. #westfield #ww2bomb #evacuated pic.twitter.com/L3rfn8268O
— alanisko (@alanisko) July 8, 2015
