An unexploded Second World War bomb found in the River Thames will not be detonated until weather conditions make it safe to do so.
The Royal Navy planned to conduct a controlled explosion on the ordnance on Tuesday but strong winds and a large sea swell posed a risk to divers.
Attempts to destroy the bomb will now be made on Wednesday.
Commander Del McKnight, the commanding officer of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Diving Squadron, said: “With 30 knots of wind blowing on to the coast and sea swell of up to two metres we would be putting our divers at risk if we continued in this weather.
“The bomb presents no risk to the public in its current location, so we will leave it where it currently sits until tomorrow. We can then see if the weather dies down and creates a safer environment for us to destroy the ordnance.”
(PA graphic)
The 1.5-metre-long tapered-end shell was found 15 metres underwater and was moved to a secure area after its discovery on Sunday morning.
London City Airport opened as normal on Tuesday after dozens of flights were cancelled following the bomb’s discovery.
A 214-metre exclusion zone was set up in Newham after the 500kg device was found at King George V Dock in east London on Sunday.
It meant residents had to be evacuated from their homes and the airport shut to all flights as the runway fell within the sealed-off area.
Robert Sinclair, the airport’s chief executive, said: “The World War Two ordnance discovered in King George V Dock has been safely removed by the Royal Navy and Met Police. As a result, the exclusion zone has now been lifted and the airport will be open as normal on Tuesday.
“I would like to thank the Royal Navy, Metropolitan Police and Newham Council for their professionalism and expertise in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.”