© ArchydeMore than 60% of the total population of the city have moved to a safe distance after discovery of the British bomb.
Corriere della Sera daily said the operation was the biggest peacetime evacuation in Italy, with more than 60% of the city's residents forced to vacate a "red zone" in a radius of 1,617 meters from where the bomb was found.
The British bomb, believed to have been dropped on the city in 1941, is 1 meter long and contains 40 kgs of dynamite, authorities said. It was found by chance last month during refurbishment works at a cinema theater.
The city's airport, train station, two hospitals and a prison were shut down and evacuated as part of the operation, which authorities expect to be completed around lunchtime.
Comment: Makes one wonder just how many bombs the Allies dropped in Europe! Just last week, the city of Turin was evacuated as another British WWII bomb was discovered. WWII bombs are continuously being found throughout Europe - and London has its share as well.