World War II bomb found at construction site of new NATO headquarters

World War II bomb found at construction site of new NATO headquarters

2010-11-16 03:59:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- A World War II bomb was found on Monday at the construction site of the new NATO headquarters in Brussels, prompting the evacuation of a section of a NATO's current headquarters.

After the 200 kilogram bomb was discovered at the site in Leopold III Avenue, NATO told workers in the current headquarters to leave the complex. The evacuation included a cafeteria, a supermarket and sport facilities.

The boulevard is also undergoing major work to extend a tram line that will link NATO to downtown Brussels. Local police agents were sent to the area and they are currently working on defusing the bomb.

The construction of the new NATO headquarters began last September and is expected to be completed by fall 2015. The new complex will cost an estimated 460 million Euros ($626 million).

The new building, which will occupy 250,000 square meters, is being constructed about 100 meters from the current NATO headquarters.

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