Construction workers accidentally uncovered the unexploded bomb on a building site close to the Sassonia beach in Fano on Tuesday night.
The discovery of the British-made bomb - loaded with more than 225 kilograms of TNT – caused the immediate evacuation of 23,000 residents within a 1.8 kilometre radius of the find.
The city’s hospital was also evacuated while disposal experts from the Italian navy moved the metre-long device.
The bomb was taken out three kilometres to sea and disposed of, local sources said.
The bomb will remain in the water for at least 144 hours before being set off by army experts in a controlled detonation.
Thousands of soldiers were involved in the operation, transporting residents to safety and sharing the news of the evacuation order from vehicles’ loudspeakers.
During the overnight operation, railway and air traffic were suspended around the city, with the airport and sea port closed.
Fano Mayor Massimo Seri on Wednesday confirmed the town was “out of danger” and said residents could return to their homes, after many had spent the night with relatives or in municipal buildings.
With ANSA
