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LILLE, France, Dec 14 (AFP) – Explosives experts Sunday defused a 250-kilogramme (500-pound) World War II bomb in the northeastern French city of Lille following the evacuation of 1,200 residents.
Rescue workers said the operation was more difficult than predicted because the fuse had become rusted into place and the detonator was deformed.
The British bomb was discovered Wednesday during building work in the heart of the city.
The evacuated residents were later allowed to return to their homes.
Officials said high-speed rail services through the city, including the Eurostar trains to London and the Thalys trains to Belgium were running up to two hours late.
© AFP
Subject: France news