A bomb disposal unit from the Italian army carried out a scheduled detonation of a massive bomb found at Ciampino airport, on Sunday 10 February.

The bomb, which was left over from world war two and contained about 250 kg of explosives, was transferred to a nearby quarry where it underwent a controlled explosion at around 13.30.

During the operation Ciampino airport was closed from 10.00-12.00 and approximately 4,000 people were evacuated from their homes in the surrounding area.

The bomb, which had been dropped by an aeroplane over 70 years ago, was discovered by council workers during excavation works for the expansion of the area's sewage system.