This is the moment a scuba diver discovered a 1200kg bomb dropped by the Luftwaffe – just under a pier at a popular beach.
James Cunningham, 19, came across the device when diving with his uncle on Monday evening.
Having first thought the huge object was a container, a closer inspection led to him realising that it was in fact far more dangerous.
Mr Cunningham said they then quickly swam to the surface and contacted the authorities.
The Royal Navy bomb squad went to the scene Tuesday morning and whole of the Teignmouth seafront in Devon was evacuated by police.
A 500-metre cordon has also put in place as police advise the public to avoid the area.
Police have said they are concerned about shattered glass should the device go off and have asked local residents to open all windows.
The device was a 1200kg German bomb that was 70×26 inches long. It was taken into the sea for detonation and all trains were put on hold in the area for this to happen.
James, of Bishopsteington, Devon, “It was about 5pm yesterday when I was scuba diving off the coast of Teignmouth and came across the device.
“I could see it from quite a distance and it was about the same width as my arm span.
“At first I thought it possibly looked like some sort of container that was covered in rust.
“Only by looking a bit closer we then discovered that it was in fact a bomb.
“We swam away post-haste and went back to shore to contact the police.
“I had taken a bearing so I was able to go back out with the Navy this morning to show them exactly where it was.
“I scuba dive regularly around the coast of South Devon but have never come across anything like this before.
“It was quite scary when we discovered what it was but the authorities seem to be dealing with it now.”
A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said: “Civilian scuba divers discovered this weapon when they were diving about 100 metres off the beach at Teignmouth.
“The Southern Diving United have identified the bomb as a German World War Two airdrop weapon.
“We’re in conversation with Devon and Cornwall Police and coastguards to determine how they’re going to deal with the weapon.
“Ideally what they would do is tow it out to a safe place and carry out a controlled detonation.”
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